Okay. Picking up where we left off on Wednesday …
Photo by Jeff Lange
So some of you JHM readers must undoubtedly be asking yourselves: “What’s the big deal with some of the ‘InspEARations’ statues being on display at NYC’s ‘World of Disney’ store? I mean, haven’t these things been touring the United States for months now? So what’s so newsworthy about a handful of them suddenly turning up in Manhattan?”
Photo by Jeff Lange
You don’t understand, folks. This appearance at the New York’s “WoD” store is pretty much the end of the line for these unique Mickeys. Late next month (On September 27th, to be exact), all 75 of the “InspEARations” statues will be sold at auction at Sotheby’s. With the proceeds going to 50 different charities including the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Mind you, if you’re in New York September 20th – 26th, Sotheby’s will actually have all 75 of these 6-foot-tall, 700-pound statues on display in one place. In the third story preview gallery of its Upper East Side office (located at the corner of York Avenue and 72nd Street).
Photo by Jeff Lange
If you can’t make it into the city that week to see the statues and/or attend the auction itself … Well, Sotheby’s will be publishing a catalog for the September 27th auction. Which will feature images of all 75 statues that are being put up for bid. You can order your copy now by clicking on this link.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Also a “heads up” for all you Disney pin collectors out there: The first 5,000 people to order copies of the “Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations” catalogue will also recieve a free, limited-edition commemorative pin. This exclusive Disney-sanctioned collectible will feature the 75th Anniversary Mickey image and will also be engraved with the pin’s edition number and sale information. So if you want to snag one of those cool collectibles, you’d probably better order your Sotheby’s “InspEARations” auction catalog today!
Photo by Jeff Lange
Anyway … For now, there are supposedly only nine Mickey’s-75th-anniversary statues on display in NYC. Or so said the staff of the “World of Disney” store. But — as Roddy & I found out later that day — that claim wasn’t entirely true.
Photo by Jeff Lange
How so? Well, that evening before we headed out of the city, we decided to stop for a bite to eat at the ESPN Zone in Times Square. When what to our wondering eyes should appear but two more “Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations” statues right there inside the restaurant. By that I mean, the one that SportsCenter anchors Linda Cohen, Dan Patrick & Robin Roberts helped create …
Photo by Jeff Lange
… as well as the statue that ESPN favorites Chris Berman & *** Vitale designed.
Photo by Jeff Lange
So — all in all — it was a pretty fun way to spend a day in the city. Curing my back-from-Disneyland blues as well as finding about another fun Disney-related event that I should maybe think about attending in NYC next month.
Hmmn. I wonder how much some of those “InspirEARations” statues will wind up going for? More importantly, will Flo throw me out of the house if I actually put in a bid on one of these things?
By the way … If you like to learn more about the particular “Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations” statues that are depicted in this article (As is: Which celebrities designed them, etc.), then I suggest that you follow this link. Where Disney Consumer Products has an entire webpage that’s devoted to the 75th anniversary statues.