Carnival Chalkware Dopey Bank

Following the great theatrical success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the late 1930s, it wasn't uncommon to find unlicensed knockoff Snow White figures being sold at carnivals. They were usually made of chalkware or plaster and often lacked the finer details found in the porcelain figurines from the same time period. (Several examples of carnival figs can be seen in earlier posts A, B, C.)

This Dopey chalkware bank recently popped up on ebay. We believe it might also be a carnival copy. As with most of these unlicensed figures, this one bares no Walt Disney copyright imprint. Measures 7.5" tall.

No Disney markings to be found.

Images via soldster.

What also adds to the evidence that this is a knockoff piece is the fact that the same figure was actually produced in 1938 by the Crown Toy Mfg. Co. It was fashioned from composition material and was fully licensed by Disney. See it in an earlier Archive entry.

1960s Enesco Snow White Figural Bank

This Snow White coin bank was one of many glazed ceramic figurines produced by Enesco in the 1960s. Hand-painted. Slot in back. Rubber stopper on bottom. Measures 5.5" tall. Made in Japan. All are bottom-stamped with "© Walt Disney Productions". Some also have an Enesco foil logo sticker, others a blue and white "Japan" sticker.

This same Snow White with bluebird design was also issued as a stand-alone figurine (not a bank). See it in a future post.

Tin Coin Bank from Japan

Seen online in early 2017, this Snow White tin bank is part of a series of Disney banks produced in Japan. Includes a lock and keys. Hinged lid with coin slot on top. Measure 12 cm x 8.5 cm and 7.5 cm high. Officially licensed.

Others in the series.

Dopey Bank by Crown Toy

A composition Dopey bank manufactured by Crown Toy Mfg. Co., Inc. A coin slot is located on the front, a key access door on the bottom. Marked "Walt Disney Ent. 1938" along the rear base. Measures approximately 7.75" high.

Images via Down the Road Antiques.

The bank was listed in The Collector's Encyclopedia of Disneyana by David Longest and Michael Stern, p.137 (1992). It is also seen, along with Dopey Roly-poly toys, in the Disneyana by Munsey, p.141 (1974).

Snow White "Dress Pose" Coin Bank

Snow Whites strikes her classic "raised dress pose" in this coin bank design. Issued circa late 1990s and/or early 2000s. Made of hard plastic. Measures approximately 9" high. Coin slot in back and removable stopper on bottom. Three different color schemes for her cape have been found.

Red Cape - The bottom label for this one reads, Euro Disney S.C.A., which is the publicly traded company that owns and operates Disneyland Paris. The bank was available for purchase at the theme park.

Two different examples of the Euro Disney S.C.A. sticker.

Images via eltonstratton.

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Maroon Cape -  Disney Store Inc., Glendale, CA. Probably sold at Disneyland. Original retail $6.

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Blue Cape - Walt Disney Attractions. Lake Buena Vista, FL. Sold at Walt Disney World.

Images via ddb7.

Other Snow White figural banks:

• Folded hands
• With basket
• Moveable arms bank
• Wishes bank
• Soaky bubble bank
• Leeds ceramic figure

Snow White "Folded Hands" Coin Bank

Snow White stands tall with her hands folded in this figural bank design. Coin slot in back and stopper on bottom. Figure is made of hard plastic. Different color capes have been found.

Red Cape - Snow wears a red cape. Measures about 9.5". Possibly sold at Tokyo Disneyland or Japan Disney Stores.

Bottom imprint reads, "Walt Disney Company".

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Maroon Cape - Same design but with a maroon cape. Measures approximately 9.5". Possibly sold at Disneyland.

The bottom is embossed Disney CE and Made in China in about five different languages.

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Blue Cape - Dark blue cape with yellow ties in front. Smaller size than those above, measuring in at 7.5" to 8". According to ebayer, it was purchased from a Disney Store in Florida, circa 2005.

Bottom imprint reads, "© DISNEY - MADE IN CHINA".