Welcome back to another Disney Stuff.
When I first started writing this column I wanted to cover just how much the Walt Disney Company has found its way into our lives. I knew I wanted to talk about collectibles, but there was more to it than that. As fans we all have Disney Stuff scattered throughout our lives and our homes. You'd be hard pressed to enter a room in my house without finding something representing some aspect of Disney somewhere. That's not to say we have a “Disney house.” We really don't. Yes, the basement rec room is filled with Disney collectibles on the shelves and art on the walls and if you poke around or look carefully, you can probably find the Hidden Mickeys—so to speak—in most rooms. But we prefer the more subtle approach to our decorating.
Pictures of the kids and the Tinker Bell lamp fill up the side table next to the most comfortable chair in the house. The lamp sits on a small side table in our sunroom, where it gives off a soft, calming glow. Photo by Chris Barry.
The piece I'm talking about today certainly fits that bill. If you enter the sunroom in our home, you'll find two walls of sun-filled windows, lots of plants, a beautiful, comfy, “swallow you whole” chair perfect for reading a book in, and at first glance, nary a Disney item to be found. Upon closer inspection, you would find a very subtle touch of Disney magic in the form of my wife's favorite character Tinker Bell. Diane has always been a big Tink fan and she definitely shares some of Miss Bell's qualities. It's less about them both being pretty blondes and much more about them both having that… well, that little bit of attitude.
About 10 years ago I found this wonderful stained glass lamp in the old Disney Catalog. (Now comes the obligatory statement: “Boy, do I miss going out to the mailbox and finding a Disney Catalog waiting there for me!” There… I said it and I say it every time I bring up this long lost catalog!) Disney was still selling some impressive collectibles through their catalog and in the physical Disney Store back then. 2003 marked the 50th anniversary of the Disney theatrical release of my all time favorite, Peter Pan. Thus, it was also the 50th anniversary of Tinker Bell, at least the Disney version of Tinker Bell which has certainly gone on to become the most famous and recognizable version of J. M. Barrie's pixie.
You can usually count on Disney to release something cool and collectible for a milestone anniversary of one of their major characters or properties, and Peter Pan was no exception. There was a decent selection of Peter Pan memorabilia and collectibles released that year, but this stained glass lamp was the one that found its way under the Christmas tree that year for my wife. Let's take a closer look.
The lamp is substantial in weight. It's crafted in heavy bronze and its style is reminiscent of the Art Nouveau movement.
The Tinker Bell 50th Anniversary Stained Glass lamp. Photo by Chris Barry.
The stained glass itself is beautifully detailed.
The beautiful bronze and stained glass panels up close. Photo by Chris Barry.
And of course, there's Miss Bell herself:
An up close look at Tink. Photo by Chris Barry.
She's cast in the same bronze as the lamp, and I love the fact that she's the same color as the body of the lamp and not in her trademark green dress. This increases the subtlety of the whole piece. If you're not looking closely, you might just miss the fact that she's there and miss who she is. It's probably the thing I like most about the lamp. I also really like her pose—the way she's looking up, eyes closed, arms extended; it almost seems like she's basking in the lamp's soft, warm luminescence.
As I said above, the lamp was released in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Peter Pan animated film. It was designed by long time Disney designer Kevin Kidney. Kevin and his partner Jody Daily have been responsible for a wide selection of Disney art and collectibles over the years. Back in August of 2011, I bought one of my all-time favorite Disney collectibles (I covered it right here in a Disney Stuff article): the Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary Mini Attraction Poster Set designed by Kevin and Jody. They have a certain flair for Disney design that sets them apart and their head is definitely in classic Disney mode. Check out more info on Kevin and Jody and their awesome Disney art here on their site.
This lamp was a limited edition of only 2,500, which definitely adds to its uniqueness and, of course, its value. To be honest, I can't remember how much I paid for this lamp, but there's one selling on eBay right now for $300, and I'm quite sure I didn't pay that, so it has increased in value.
The lamp's Certificate of Authenticity. © Disney
Not that value matters, because it isn't going anywhere. It's been gracing our home for the past 10 years and it adds just the right amount of light to our tranquil sunroom. We love having it and love using it. It's been a subtle feature in several different rooms in our house since I acquired it and its always appreciated by guests and visitors and most importantly by my own Tinker Bell, the original recpient of this wonderful piece of Disney Stuff… my lovely wife, Diane.
I hope you like this Tinker Bell 50th Anniversay Stained Glass Lamp as much as we do. Click on the link below, let me hear your thoughts, and I'll see you next time with more of that great Disney Stuff.
