Mirror, mirror, on the wall, what’s the best collectible of all? Well, Snow White, of course! Whether you grew up dreaming of finding your own crew of helpful dwarfs in the woods or have recently fallen back in love with the vintage allure of Disney antiques, there’s something for every kind of Snow White fan awaiting you at the antique mall—it’s just a matter of knowing what to look for!
History of the Snow White Story
The story of Snow White has been around for over 200 years, long before the famous Disney movie. The original was published in a collection of fairy tales written in German by the much darker Brothers Grimm. It featured many of the story elements we know and love today, including the poisoned apple, glass coffin, magic mirror, the Seven Dwarfs (albeit nameless), and the Evil Queen.
It first found mainstream success on the Broadway stage in 1912--and again in a 1916 silent film starring the same actress. This film went on to inspire a young Walt Disney, who dreamed of one day recreating the story in an animated form.
Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
When Walt Disney first pitched the enthralling tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to his core group of artists in the mid-1930s, it didn’t take much for them to sign on. They knew they had something good on their hands!
Armed with a $1.5 million budget and a dream, his team of animation experts created the first full-length animated feature film ever released by the company. Its massive success proved that animation could be used for large-scale storytelling, utilized advanced techniques like the multiplane camera, and became an instant classic, pioneering what many fans call “The Golden Age” and changing the future of the company for good.
Why Do People Collect Snow White Antiques?
No Disney antique collection is complete without the film that really started it all. Though Disney had released other shorts and films before 1937, the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs changed the game for casual viewers and avid collectors alike. If you love Disney collectibles, you’ll need to have at least one or two in your possession to truly honor the historical significance of this fairytale film.
Other Snow White collectors are driven by nostalgia. The majority of fans grew up watching the movie over and over again, either dreaming of one day waking up to their true love, shouting at the screen for Snow White not to take a bite of the apple, or whistling along with the dwarfs as they worked. Collecting these rare and colorful Disney antiques gives you a chance to reconnect with your inner child.
If you’re in the Disney collectibles game for the money, certain Snow White collectibles can fetch you a high price. The older and more preserved an animation cell or piece of memorabilia is, the more worth it adds to your collection.
Hunt Down These Snow White Collectibles
It doesn’t matter if you’re 9 or 99—there’s a Disney collectible for any age! The next time you’re at an Indiana antique mall, make sure you scour each aisle, booth, and showcase for these popular types of Snow White antiques:
Collectible Snow White Dolls and Toys
If you want to lean into the childhood delight of Snow White collectibles, consider shopping for antique dolls and toys. Search the booths that stock nostalgic toys from decades past. These can be displayed on a shelf in the original packaging to keep the condition pristine and value high or played with by the younger members of your family—whatever you wish! Find vintage and antique Disney dolls and toys from popular brands, such as:
Mattel
Bikin
McDonald’s Happy Meal
Pez
Disney
Antique Snow White Home Goods
When you walk through the more fragile areas of an Illinois antique mall, keep your eyes peeled for Snow White-themed home goods. Whether you’re searching for the Dopey design for your incomplete Seven Dwarfs shot glass set, children’s plates, a rare teapot depicting the slumbering scene, or musical jewelry boxes, there’s bound to be something in our aisles. Feel free to use any of these in your day-to-day lives—just make sure to check for uranium in any glassware beforehand!
Antique Snow White Ornaments
Celebrate the holidays surrounded by Disney antiques and collect Snow White ornaments. As you shop at the Highland vendor mall, look for labels with brands like Lenox, Sears, and Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments (most of which are retired designs from the ‘90s). Soon enough, you’ll have a whimsical collection of Snow White, the Evil Queen, and all her friends!
Pro tip: Companies produce new Snow White ornaments every year (proving just how popular the movie still is), so if you want to focus on vintage designs, make sure you do your research before buying.
Collectible Snow White Figurines and Sculptures
Collectible figurines are a beautiful way to showcase your love of Snow White antiques around the house. From wedding cake toppers depicting a dancing Snow White and Prince Charming to statues that perfectly capture the famous personality of each dwarf, Snow White collectible figurines remain timeless. You can find figurines in a variety of popular brands, such as:
Lenox
Precious Moments
Disney
Swarovski
Antique Snow White Animation Cells and Comic Strips
Physical Snow White memorabilia is often the most valuable—especially if it’s an original from behind the scenes of the movie. In the 1930s, Disney released their own comic strips featuring the characters from the movie, and even single panels could be sold at high values to Snow White collectible fanatics.
Many avid Disney antique collectors are also willing to spend hundreds to own an animation cell from the first edition of the movie, so if you spot one, make sure to scoop it up! Keep these safe between plastic sheets in a collector’s book, or display them with a frame in your home office—the choice is yours!
What’s the Best Place to Shop for Disney Collectibles?
While online options are an easy at-home choice for Disney antique shopping, there’s no better place to go than your local antique mall. Our locations are filled with ever-changing inventory from hundreds of unique vendors to ensure every visit is different than the last! Find a bit of magic in our aisles as you peruse each booth in search of your next Snow White collectible.
Loving (and collecting) Snow White will never go out of style! Stop by America’s Antique Mall to find the Snow White collectible that’ll help you live happily ever after.
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