Friday, November 03, 2006

Souvenir Friday- Haunted Mansion Press Pin

Today's souvenir is courtesy of a very great friend and loyal reader. It is the press pin used for a preview of the Haunted Mansion on August 11, 1969, although the Mansion was open on the 9th. Does anyone know why this has the later date? Was Disneyland doing soft openings and then doing a Grand Opening a couple days later like they did with the Buzz Lightyear ride? The 9th was a Saturday and the 11th was a Monday in 1969. Inquiring minds want to know!

I like the fact that not only does it have the date but the added grinning skull with the eye patch at the bottom. The pin appears to have been worn and then was spirited away to a drawer to be found 30 years later. I wish I could have been a Press Ghost on that day, I would have definitely kept this rare souvenir that was handed out.

3 comments:

Major Pepperidge said...

I would pay as much as $20 for this rare collectible!!

Major Pepperidge said...

By the way, the eye patch on that skull looks suspiciously Piratey, any idea if there was a similar item that was used for the debut of POC?

Anonymous said...

The skull attached to the badge was produced By Randotti. These small skull charms and other items were sold in the Disney Land, and later Disney World, as part of the souvenirs for Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Jungle cruise and Old West areas of the Parks. Some of various items Randotti produced are plagues, figurines, tombstones, and skulls, lots and lots of skulls, in all Shapes and sizes.