Vintage French Snow White Postcards by Tobler

The Swiss chocolatier, Tobler, introduced their popular postcard promotion, circa 1951. Disney-themed cards were offered as premiums inside bars and boxes of chocolate. They were printed by Georges Lang of Paris and issued in France. Each measures approximately 9 x 14cm (3.5" x 5.5"). There were loads of them--characters from the early shorts and every animated feature up through Peter Pan.

When I first started researching these postcards, it was a surprise to find that Snow White and the dwarfs were represented with two different sets of illustrations, possibly one of them having been released at a later date. One group of eight cards was issued with green ink printed on the reverse side. The other batch--with different images--was produced with red ink. However, after years of searching, I have yet to come across any evidence to show that Sneezy, Sleepy, and Bashful were ever included in this latter group. Some of the red-back cards promote the children's magazine Le Journal de Mickey.

The Snow White postcards that I know to exist are shown below. The green-back series is on the left, red-backs to the right.

Blanche Neige.

An example of the green ink on the reverse side. The text mentions that a free card album is available.

The red ink back.

An alternate red-back promotes Le Journal de Mickey.

Prof.

Grincheux.

Joeyeux.

Simplet.

Atchoum, Dormeur, Timide (green-backs only).

It seems logical to think that these last three characters would have been included in the red-back set too, but I've yet to find any mention of them online.

Snow White Squeeze-Toys from Russia

A vintage Snow White squeeze-toy set from Russia. Dates from about the end of Soviet-era. Made of rubber.

The figures lack any kind of manufacturer markings or Disney copyright imprint. It's probable these were produced without permission from the mothership.

Snow wears a red skirt. Happy holds a pipe. Dopey has large ears. Sneezy seems rather jolly.

Doc. Sleepy. Grumpy. Bashful.

The princess stands about 7" (180mm), the dwarfs 5.2" (130 mm).

Images via junkman058.

The Russian Grumpy mold strongly resembles this 1992 Mattel figure, except for the movable arms.

And the face on the Russian Happy can be seen in this Doc.

Mattel images via vintagemania10.

The eight-piece set was seen online in April 2015 and is still available now. The seller is from the Ukraine. Special thanks to Dan Alexander Dizmentia for the heads-up on this one and to Maxime Lansmans for the Mattel comparisons.

David McKay 1937 Snow White Book

David McKay Company was a book publisher based in Philadelphia. They were known not only for storybooks, but for comic books as well, having issued some of the first American titles.

In 1937, they released a Snow White hardcover book with dust jacket. Contains B+W illustrations with some color. Measures approximately 9.5' x 10.5"; 42 pages. Printed by Western Publishing. Original retail price $1.

Cover image via Heritage Auctions.

The front and back endpapers are decorated with an illustration of the dwarfs marching through the forest.

Title page.

A few sample pages.

Illustrations and text copyright Disney/David McKay Company, 1937. Posted here for historical documentation purposes only.
Sample page photos courtesy of the Michael Filippello Collection.

An advertisement for the book featuring Dopey could be found in various 1938 comic books.

The book was also promoted in newspapers. In an earlier post, see an ad with Bashful in the January 13, 1938 New York Times.

Snow White Toss-Up Balloon by Oak Rubber Co.

In an earlier Archive entry, we saw catalog pages for several Snow White (and other Disney) balloons from the late 1930s. Today we have an actual balloon still in its original package. Manufactured by the Oak Rubber Company in Ravenna, Ohio, it's what was referred to as a "toss-up" design. Features a two-chambered balloon and includes a die-cut cardboard backer with printed "shoes" on one side.

Balloon images via pezdudewelch.

From the catalog scan, we see that Snow White is printed on the front with the Seven Dwarfs on the opposite side. 'After the balloon is inflated, the nozzle is pulled through a small hole in the center of the feet and then through a slit in the back. The balloon stands upright with a weighted pair of cardboard feet. According to the advertising copy, you toss it in the air, and it lands on its feet every time.' ADDITIONAL INFO VIA SCOTT TRIPP AT BALLOONHQ.