Original 1955 Welcome to Disneyland Brochure, measuring 3.5 x 9 closed and opening to an overall size of 13.75 x 9, with a map of the brand new park inside, signed on the front of the brochure, in blue ballpoint “Walt Disney.” Brochure is taped into a very nice 1955 handmade personal scrapbook of a visitor’s 1955 trip to California. Scrapbook is full of souvenir color photos from the trip, including The Petrified Forest, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Yosemite Park. Accompanied by another unsigned brochure. Twenty-two thousand invitations were sent out for opening day on July 17, 1955. But thirty-three thousand showed up with invitations. It was discovered that false tickets were printed and sold all over Southern California. Outside companies were hired as guards and ushers. With the overcrowded park, the day turned into a disaster (which was later called “Black Sunday”) with a shortage of refreshments, long lines, melting asphalt, a shortage of water fountains and overflowing trash bins. Walt took the next two weeks and completely reorganized operations. In fine condition, with brochure still taped to its own page in the scrapbook. COA Phil Sears and R&R COA.
