Saturday, December 8, 2012

RKO International 'Snow White' Postcards

A collection of Snow White postcards was produced by RKO Radio Films during the international run of the movie back in the late 1930s. The series was issued in English, French, German, Czech, Polish and probably more languages. This first set appears in French and was printed in Brussels by the publisher A. Beirnaerdt. The character image is accompanied by a related text poem (except for the Snow White card).

Blache Neige.


Card back side with RKO logo.



Prof.



Timide/Dormeur.



Simplet.



Atchoum/Joyeux.



Grincheux.



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Here's the same series but printed in the Czech language and published in Prague. It's fairly certain these date from 1938 because by the following year, Czechoslovakia was occupied by the Nazis.




Sněhurka.



Kejchal, Smudla and Profa.



The card back displays the same RKO logo but reads, "PRAHA II- VACLAVSKE NAM. 51" (PRAGUE II- Wenceslas Square 51) and "Sněhurka a sedm trpasliku" (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs).


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This next set employs the same artwork (with different color shading) for all the Dwarfs except Dopey. And Snow White appears with the Prince from a Gustaf Tenggren drawing. Copyright "W.D.P."; text in English. Each card measures 3.5" x 5.5".



The cards were used as store premiums. The reverse side of this set each has a light ink stamp, "With Best Wishes From Foy's". Sold in auction by Hakes, March 22, 2012 for $336.49 (USD).

6 comments:

  1. They are a few precious postcards. I am charmed with them!! ^__^

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    1. I like how each country printed a slightly different set too.

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  2. Are these the same as the Toblerone cards that I occasionally see at postcard shows?

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    1. Some of the Dwarf poses are similar but the Tobler is actually a different set. In fact, there were too Tobler sets. I have images of all the postcards except for a couple. Once I locate those, I'll be posting them...hopefully in the new year.

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  3. I have a similar series with all Seven Dwarfs I'm not sure which manufacturer without checking Ill have to send you some images of the cards Robert!

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