A Pair of Original Photographs of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Exhibit and the Submarine Voy...

A Pair of Original Photographs of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Exhibit and the Submarine Voyage Attraction at Disneyland Taken by Mell Kilpatrick Comprising two silver gelatin photographs, both 8 x 10 in., 1957 and 1959, both stamped on verso, with the 1957 photo being from the original negative. The 1957 photo features a group of military visitors to the 'Fitting Chamber' of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea exhibit, which opened at Disneyland in 1955 and contained real props and sets from the 1954 hit Disney movie starring James Mason and Kirk Douglas. Though spectacularly popular even years after the movie had been released, the massive exhibit closed in 1966 due to the expense of maintaining it. The Submarine Voyage attraction opened at Disneyland in 1959, and two submarines named Skipjack and Ethan Allen are featured in the photo. The ride simulated a real submarine voyage and was extremely popular; it closed in 1998 but reopened in 2007 with the incorporation of a 'Finding Nemo' theme. Photographer Mell Kilpatrick was one of the fortunate few allowed to photograph Disneyland during its construction period, on opening day, and after. He was hand-picked by Walt Disney himself and many of his Disney photographs have not been seen for decades. Originally a photographer for the Orange County Register, he was often first on the scene of major crimes and accidents, but his photographs of Disneyland are the jewels of his career. 8 x 10 in. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing