End of an Era - WDCC Retires

Back on December 6, 2012, I received an email from a Walt Disney Classics Collection dealer stating that Enesco was no longer going to produce the popular line of porcelain figures of Disney characters. To the serious collector, this was not a huge concern. The WDCC series had already changed manufacturers on a few occasions over the last 20 years, and yet, the consistency of quality and artistic design remained at a very high level.

Enesco made it clear that while they were stepping down...

the Walt Disney Classics Collection brand is not ending. Disney will be appointing a new licensee next year. During the transition, Enesco will continue to sell the limited inventory of sculptures to allow retailers and collectors an opportunity to complete their collections.

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Then in March of 2013, it was announced that the new line of WDCC figures would be produced by Precious Moments. This news was met with extreme disappointment by many longtime collectors. While the Precious Moments company has it's own following, the artistic style of their typical sculpts did not match what customers had come to expect from the WDCC.

Images of the first Precious Moments WDCC series were released, and the negative feedback voiced by collectors was immediate and overwhelming. A very distinctive PM "look" did not sit well with WDCC customers.

Precious Moments ornaments.

The entire PM first series.

Stock catalog images copyright Disney/Precious Moments.

None of these pieces were ever released. Precious Moments promised customers they'd go back to the drawing board to create figures that were much more in line with what WDCC collectors were accustomed to.

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September 2013, a new Precious Moments catalog is supposed to be released.

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November 2013, an official announcement from Precious Moments that the WDCC will be discontinued...

We truly appreciate the fans and collectors who have been eagerly awaiting the Walt Disney Classics Collection product launch by Precious Moments Incorporated®. After extensive consultation with Disney®, we have jointly decided not to move forward with the release of the collection. The Walt Disney Classics Collection will be placed into the “vault” alongside other cherished Disney classics. We invite you to continue to celebrate Disney characters and stories with the beautifully crafted collectibles available in the Disney Showcase Collection by Precious Moments. These exquisite pieces are available at Disney Theme Parks, DisneyStore.com, PreciousMoments.com, and specialty retailers.

Thank you for your continued support of Precious Moments Incorporated.

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Over 70 Snow White pieces (including ornaments) were released during the 20 year run of the Walt Disney Classics Collection. The first was issued in 1994, The Fairest One of All. The last was the 2012 Fairytale Ending.

Here on the Filmic Light, you can view the entire collection of Snow White pieces by clicking on the WDCC figurine link.

1983 'Disney Collectors Society' Ceramic Medallion

The Walt Disney Collectors Society (WDCS) was formed in 1993 by the Walt Disney Company to enhance the collecting of porcelain sculptures found in the Walt Disney Classics Collection. However, WDCS is not to be confused with something called the Disney Collectors Society (DCS).

The DCS was established a decade earlier in 1983. Charter members received this "Snow White and Friends" ceramic medallion which measures approximately 3" in diameter. Made in Japan.

Images and additional info courtesy of TokyoMagic! at Meet the World.

Backside ...

Box...

What was The Disney Collectors Society? Grolier Enterprises was responsible for its formation. The publisher of The Disneyana Collector newsletter (seen in previous post), they were also the producers of many collectible plates, ornaments, figurines, and other nice pieces. The Disney Collectors Society was a means by which to market these and other items to buyers of Disneyana.

Accompanying the Snow White medallion was a membership card that read, "a service of Grolier Enterprises, Inc."

Doing a Google search, though, does not reveal much more about the Society or its membership. While it may not have lasted too long, DCS did serve an important role. It was probably one of the main reasons that the Disney Company started their own Walt Disney Collectors Society a decade later. The WDCS brought to the market the Walt Disney Classics Collection, some of the finest-sculpted porcelain figurine pieces ever produced in the Disneyana world.

WDCC 75th Anniversary Figurine Announced

The Walt Disney Classics Collection just recently announced their "Fall Introductions" of porcelain figurines which includes a Snow White and Prince sculpt entitled Fairytale Ending. Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the film, this 9.5" tall piece will be a limited edition of just 750. The Prince is plussed with pewter legs and sword.

Sculpted by artist Dusty Horner. Suggested retail price $299 (USD). Officially available September 2012.

Item Number: 4024300

Stock images copyright Disney.

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Additional images via the Duckman.

UPDATE March 2013:

The figurines that would become the Walt Disney Classics Collection line were first introduced in 1992 by Schmid. Then for a while, the sculptures were taken over in-house by the Disney Company itself. In 2004, Enesco was entrusted with continuing the collection which reached its 20th Anniversary in 2012. 

As it would happen, though, this Snow White figure would become the very last in the line of WDCC to be produced by Enesco. The reins were turned over to Precious Moments in 2013 to continue the tradition, but the initial feedback on what their producing has not been positive.

WDCC Snow White Figurine (70th Anniversary - 2007)

We wrap up our look at the 70th anniversary commemorative items with this open edition Snow White and Dopey figurine entitled A Sweet Send Off. It was introduced by the Walt Disney Classics Collection in July 2007. Sculpted by artist Kent Melton, the figure stands 6.375" tall. Along with the usual bottom impressions, (the first year production mark was Captain Hook's hook), the piece also bears a 70th anniversary stamp. Original retail price $199 (USD).

Item Number: 4006685

Stock photo copyright Disney.

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Update: February 6, 2012...

It was just over a week ago that I posted the above info on the Sweet Send Off figurine. Now news comes to us via Duckman's Blog that the 5 year old WDCC piece is being retired. It had a nice run.

Makes one wonder if a 75th Anniversary sculpt might be in the works. Special thanks to Disney Showcase Key for the tip about the retirement.

WDCC Dopey Figurine (65th Anniversary - 2002)

Item Number: 1217980

The Dopey "Bedazzled" sculpt was the second of the Snow White 65th Anniversary figurines to be released in 2002 by the Walt Disney Classics Collection. A numbered limited edition of 7,500, the piece was only available during the Fall Sculpture Event on September 27-29 of that year. Created by artist Chris Peterson, Dopey holds a Swarovski crystal "diamond" in each hand.

The figure measures 4.25" tall and has the "65th Anniversary" text along with the other usual backstamp inscriptions. The production year mark is the Sombrero from Saludos Amigos. Retail price $99 (USD). COA included. A Dopey pin was the featured gift-with-purchase.

Images via ThemeParkConnection.

Stock image copyright Disney.

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An exclusive gift-with-purchase crystal paperweight was offered to those customers who purchased their WDCC "Bedazzled" Dopey figurine from the World of Disney store at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. An image of the Seven Dwarfs with the event title and date are etched into the front surface of the crystal. A limited edition of 250. Created by Arribas Brothers.

WDCC "Bedazzled" Postcard (65th Anniversary - 2002)

The postcard that was sent to collectors announcing the Fall Premiere Event for the release of the Dopey "Bedazzled" sculpture. Card measures 6" x 4".

WDCC GWP Pins (65th Anniversary - 2002)

Gift-With-Purchase pins were issued for both the Snow White and Dopey 65th Anniversary WDCC figurines. The Snow pin came with the membership package to the Walt Disney Collector Society. It featured the Society's logo with the princess kneeling beside it and holding a bluebird.

The pin (and figurine) were issued for the year 2002, even though the back reads," Produced exclusively for 2001 Walt Disney Collectors Society Members © Disney."

At this time, Disney had begun using rubber backs on their pins rather than the older metal clasps. However, the mouse ear backs that are used today had not yet become popular.

A similar Snow White pin was issued in 2003 without the WDCS logo. It was part of an 11-pin framed set celebrating the first decade of the Walt Disney Collectors Society membership figurines. The framed collection was limited to 1500, though the back of each pin was stamped, "Disney, Walt Disney Collectors Society, Limited Edition 2,003 China."

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The WDCC 2002 Fall Event Sculpture featured a 65th Anniversary Dopey with diamonds. This pin was free with the purchase of the "Bedazzled' figurine. The backside reads "Walt Disney Classics Collection". Measures 1.5" tall.

WDCC Collectors Society 'Snow White' Figurine (65th Anniversary - 2002)

"Won't You Smile For Me?" was the gift sculpture for members who joined or renewed with the Walt Disney Collectors Society in 2002. This Snow White figurine (the only WDCC sculpt that I currently own myself) was created by artist Dusty Horner who found inspiration in an original animation sketch from the film. A fine art print of this drawing was sent out to collectors upon processing their memberships.

Fine Art Print

Kneeling, the princess holds a bluebird in her palms. The porcelain piece stands 4.75" tall. In addition to the regular bottom-stamp markings, the base also reads, "65th Anniversary". Released in January, the edition closed twelve months later in December. Retail: $50 (USD). Made in Thailand.

Item Number: 1217924

Caution Slip and COA

WDCS Benefits Booklet

Original Box

A cloisonné membership pin was also included with this figurine.

WDCC Evil Queen Button/Pins (60th Anniversary - 1997)

Button...

This button was a Gift-With-Purchase item for the 1997 Walt Disney Classics Collection Evil Queen sculpture. Measures 3.5" x 2". Printed on the back is "© Disney" and "Created by the Walt Disney Art Clasics" (with only one "s").

Pins...

The "Bring Back Her Heart..." Cloisonné Pin was a Gift-With-Purchase for folks who bought their Evil Queen at the Disney Store or Walt Disney Galleries. One day only...May 10, 1997.

A different cloisonné pin was given away exclusively to Evil Queen customers at Walt Disney World. Limited Edition of 1000.

WDCC Evil Queen Postcard (60th Anniversary - 1997)

Promotional postcards for the 1997 Evil Queen Sculpture Event were sent out by authorized dealers or were included in the membership mailings from the Walt Disney Collectors Society. Printed on the backside is a description of the figurine and the event. Also mentioned is the Evil Queen Poster which was available free (with purchase) for one day only. Card measures 6" x 4".