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.

Carnival Chalkware Dopey

Dopey chalkware figure. Measures 6.5" high. Probably dates from late 1930s to early 40s. These style figs were often used as game prizes at traveling carnivals. No Disney copyright imprint.

Images via sukebe.

See a similar carnival figure in an earlier post.

Snow White Concrete Lawn Statues

A plethora of Snow White garden statues have been produced over the years. Here's a few made from concrete. This first example is a bit weather-beaten and appears to be older. Yet, this same design is still produced today and is available at various garden centers online, along with all Seven Dwarfs. Measures 9.5" tall, 12.5" across, 5.5" deep. Unpainted finish. Weighs 13 pounds.

Many concrete figures are hand-painted as in this next set. Snow White is about the same size as the one above and strikes almost the identical pose except for her raised hand. The dwarfs stand approximately 9" high and each is imprinted on the back of the head with "© Walt Disney Prod." Again this set appears to be old, but similar statues are still available today.

A standing Snow White is fairly common. This one measures 17". She's pictured with the same dwarf figures as above, though their colors differ.

In another example, Snow is much larger at 41" tall; the dwarfs stand between 18" and 24".

Additional images via peggy1933 + Barry S. Slosberg, Inc.

This was only a sampling of the varied concrete Snow White sets that have been produced. More are out there, probably hiding in your neighbor's backyard or garden.

1938 La Mode Doc, Grumpy, and Dopey Lamps + Bookends

In an earlier Archive entry, we saw the 1938 Snow White lamps by La Mode Studios of New York. The painted figural pieces are made from plaster (or chalkware). Other lamps, nightlights, and bookends were also produced featuring Doc, Dopey, and Grumpy (as well as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck). Copyright "W. D. Ent." Lamps stand approximately 9" tall, including bulb socket.

Doc Lamp.

Doc Bookends.

Grumpy Lamp.

Grumpy Bookend.

Image via The Collector's Encyclopedia of Disneyana by David Longest & Michael Stern, 1992 (p.138).

Paper labels on the bottom. "Modeware" is their term for the hardened plaster.

Dopey Lamp.

Dopey Shade. Full color scene. Measures 5.75" tall.

A variety shades were produced by the Doris Lamp Shade Co. of New York (for use with the La Mode lamps). Most included images of Snow White, but there were individual shades made for Doc, Grumpy, and Dopey too.

Dopey Lamp Variant. Measures 12" tall to the top of socket. Dopey stands on round ridged base with back panel.

Dopey Bookend.

More examples are pictured in the collectible book, Disneyana by Munsey, p. 208.