Vintage Seven Dwarfs Postcards by Valentine & Sons

Beginning around the time of the film's 1938 general release, Valentine and Sons Ltd. of Dundee, Scotland produced several series of Snow White postcards. This particular set differed from the others in that it would highlight just one character per card. In addition, two variations of each postcard were published. The first included a rhyming caption at the bottom. The other printing did not. Cards are standard size 3.5" x 5.5"; regular postcard stock.


#4227 Happy...

Note that all postcards which include the rhyme on the front, also contain the tagline "THIS IS A REAL PHOTOGRAPH" on the back.

In what was probably a later printing, these next postcards don't contain the rhyming caption nor the "photograph" tagline. They do, however, include a card number on the back. This one is #4227.

Some were clearly used to promote specific movie venues by way of additional text: "As 'Happy' as the day is long at CLIFTONVILLE"

#4228 Bashful...

"Don't be 'Bashful' come to MARGATE"

#4229 Doc...

I haven't yet come across the Doc card with a rhyming caption, but it'll be added here when I do.

"Doc says --Bournemouth will do you a world of good"

#4230 Grumpy...

"Feeling 'Grumpy'? Come to Margate"

#4231 Sneezy...

"Sneezy Matter Enjoying Yourself at MARGATE"

#4232 Sleepy...

#4303 Dopey...

Note the card number on the back (#4303) does not follow in the same sequence as the rest of the series.

Snow White...

As you can see, a Snow White postcard was also included in this series. I haven't yet found a numbered version though.

 

FOR ADDITIONAL VALENTINE & SONS SNOW WHITE POSTCARDS, SEE:

• MOVIE SCENE SERIES, CARDS #4166-4168
• MOVIE SCENE SERIES, CARD #4169
• MOVIE SCENE SERIES, CARDS #4170-4171
• MOVIE SCENE SERIES, CARDS #4172-4177
• CUT-OUT NUMERAL BIRTHDAY CARDS

Postcard images via dondonald, SpreadTheLuv, Net Collector Philatelic Heritage, John+Sandy Millns Postcards,
Golden Age Postcards, BeBrightSalesToo, jeffhoo4, Victorian Parlour Postcards, outerkom, and collezionandocarta.

Valentine & Sons 'Snow White' Postcards, #4166 - #4168

Here's a look at three more examples from this postcard series. The earliest ones were produced in the late 1930s. Often there were different printings for the same card.

#4166...
Circa 1938, "Entertaining a Princess. We Really Should Celebrate said Doc. So Celebrate They Did."

Same card, different printing. Updated illustration and lower front Snow White logo...

The backside includes the same castle logo as on the one above. However, card number "4166" has been added and the tagline, "This is a real photograph," is gone...

Postcard No. 4166. Images via dutch-anton postcards, marbren and BeBrightSalesToo. 

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#4167...
"Bunch O' Water Lilies Exclaimed Grumpy When They Were Told To Wash For Tea." Note the postmark on this card was stamped in 1947.

Postcard No. 4167. Images via Antosch and Lin.

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#4168...
"Her Forest Friends Lead Snow White to the Dwarfs' Cottage"...

Another example of the backside for card #4168, this one with a postmark date: 13 October, 1938...

Postcard No. 4168. Images via marbren

Valentine & Sons 'Heigh-Ho' Postcard #4169

These two Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs postcards date from circa 1938. Published by Valentine and Sons Ltd. of Dundee, Scotland, both depict the well-known Gustaf Tenggren scene of the Dwarfs marching home across the log bridge. Yet, the cards clearly come from different printings.

Frontside:

Postcard A-- The illustration on this card holds true to the original Tenggren artwork, particularly in regards to how the Dwarfs are rendered. The caption along the bottom is printed in a simple font.

Postcard B-- The Dwarfs in this one don't exactly look like those in the film, but they have been modified some from the Tenggren work. Colors are more saturated too. Text along bottom is updated to include the Snow White logo.

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Backside:

Postcard A-- Shows logo graphic with Doc and Happy. Includes the Valentine's tagline, "This is a real photograph." Card was dated the 3rd of September, 1938 (posted from Bournemouth England to New Zealand).

Postcard B-- Castle logo graphic. Card is numbered, 4169. Tagline is gone.

Images via John Eccles and BeBrightSalesToo.

I'm a fan of these Valentine & Sons vintage postcards. See cards #4166-4168 from this series in the next post. Also #4170-4171 and #4172-4177 in earlier entries.