(Disneyland/Walt Disney World, 1950s) A hand-painted “The Phantom of the Opera” poster that was displayed on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland and at The Haunted Mansion in Walt Disney World. When Disneyland first opened, Lon Chaney’s 1925 classic was in the original rotation of films shown at the Main Street Cinema, and this poster was placed outside of the theater. A walk-around Phantom character was even added to the Park in the 1960s to interact with Guests. When The Haunted Mansion opened in Walt Disney World’s Liberty Square, this painting was moved to that attraction’s attic, where it was treated with an aging solution so it would fit in better with the rest of the props. The back is inscribed with “A piece of (living) history from the WDW attic!” and signed by Imagineer Jason Surrell, who wrote the book “The Haunted Mansion: Imagineering a Disney Classic.” Below this is a taped fragment of stationery from Disney artist Jay Gould, who painted this piece. Gould was referred to as the “Tenth Old Man,” a reference to Disney’s “Nine Old Men” that were Walt’s core animators, and he worked on various Mickey Mouse cartoons. It is incredibly rare that an item is displayed at two different Parks and in different lands, making this a unique piece of Disney history. Measuring 28” x 61.25”, the poster is painted on fiberboard and in very good condition, with wear at the bottom left corner and scuffs and scratches from Park use.