Description:

1959 Walt Disney Signed Railroad & Monorail Pass Awarded to Col. Bingham

A Walt Disney signed Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad and Monorail pass. Measuring 3.75" x 2.5", Anaheim, California, n.d. [ca. 1959]. Signed "Walt Disney" in his signature loopy style, and made out to Colonel S. H. Bingham. The pass, No. 004, awards the user free access to both the Santa Fe & Disneyland railroad and the Disneyland-Alweg Monorail system as "an honorary Vice-President of the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad" for a period of five years. The front is decorated with an image of a classic coal or steam-powered train, while the back is decorated with the modern monorail system, described as "swift silent transportation of the future." On verso are also directions on how to use the pass for complimentary service. With light staining on the front. Large, bold signature. Very fine. Please look for the related typed letter signed by Disney to Bingham in lot 243!

The Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad, now known as the Disneyland Railroad, is a heritage railroad and attraction in the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Walt Disney took inspiration from the miniature Carolwood Pacific Railroad which had been built in his backyard, and the railroad opened to the public at Disneyland's grand opening on July 17, 1955. The track runs approximately 1.2 miles and encircles the majority of the park, with train stations in four different park areas. Since then it has undergone numerous renovations, including the conversion of one of its train cars into a parlor car in the mid-1970s.

The Disneyland Monorail was first opened on June 14, 1959, becoming the first daily-operating monorail in the Western Hemisphere. The system was designed and constructed with the aid of Alweg, a German transportation company that specialized in staddle beam monorails. Walt Disney had envisioned the monorail as public transport of the future, and it was opened in conjunction with the re-dedication of Tomorrowland. The Disneyland Monorail still runs to this day, and in December 1986 it was named a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Sidney H. Bingham (1895-1980) served as executive director and general manager of the New York City Transit Authority. During the Second World War, he helped devise a system of landing loaded freight cars and locomotives at low tide, known as a “breathing bridge” which was used during the invasion of the Normandy beaches. In peacetime, he returned to New York and spent thirty-nine years associated with both the private and public business of passenger transportation in New York.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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March 15, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
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