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. Box image via mole314. 

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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 Evil Queen Figurine (60th Anniversary - 1997)

"Bring Back Her Heart..." was the 1997 Spring Event Sculpture from the Walt Disney Classics Collection. Released in February of that year, the edition was closed just a few months later in June. Another dynamic porcelain figure by artist Kent Melton, the Evil Queen stands 9" tall and holds the heart box in her hands. Retail price $150 (USD).

 

Item Number: 11K-41165-0 (Old)/1028644 (Current).

"Snow White 60th Anniversary" is printed on the bottom along with the other usual markings. The earliest production stamp is the 1996 Donald Duck Sailor's Hat. Later pieces bare the '97 Mickey Mouse Music Stand from The Band Concert.

Figurine images via lumenator.

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This event sculpture really had the promotional swag going for it. The following are just some of the Gift-With-Purchase items you could get if you bought the figurine from select authorized WDCC dealers.

Evil Queen T-Shirt...

Arribas Brothers Etched Magic Mirror Crystal Plaque (Disneyland Exclusive)...




















Black Event Balloon...

















Other promotional items included pins, a postcard and poster.

WDCC Evil Queen and Raven Figurines, 2009

The Walt Disney Classics Collection two-piece set, "Now Begins Thy Magic Spell," featured the Evil Queen and her Raven. The porcelain figures were sculpted by artist Kent Melton. The queen stands 10" tall and wears a wire belt and pewter shoes. Also in pewter are the Raven's legs, the candle holder, and the handle on the large cup.

This set was part of the "Of Dreams and Magic Series" and was only available to WDCS members from January 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010. Retail price was $275 (USD).

Item Number: 4010334. Image copyright Disney.

WDCC Huntsman Figurine Set, 2003

Item Number: 1227214;

In March 2003, the Walt Disney Classics Collection released Deadly Intent, an open edition 2-piece set which included the Huntsman and the Heartbox. Artists Kent Melton sculpted the 10" Huntsman and Valerie Edwards created the .75" Heartbox. The pieces were specifically designed to compliment the 2002 WDCS Snow White figurine (coming up in future post).

The Dagger and Feather in Cap are made of Pewter. The set retailed for $175 (USD) and was retired November 2003. The bottom-stamp production year mark is the Harp from Mickey and the Beanstalk.

Image via tikiroomboy.

Combined with the 1997 Bring Back Her Heart Evil Queen piece, the three figurines make for a nice-looking feature.

Stock images copyright Disney.

Video Posted by The Collection Shop.

WDCC Sketches Magazine, 2006

Sketches Magazine was the official periodical of the Walt Disney Collectors Society. It featured a variety of articles on or relating to the WDCC figurines and the artist who created them. Members received 4 installments a year.

The first issue for 2006 spotlighted Kent Melton's Snow White and Prince sculpt, A Dance Among the Stars.

Front Cover

Table of Contents

The excellent feature article tells from where the inspiration arose for Melton's figurine. The dancing couple in their wedding garb is taken from the abandoned "Dance in the Clouds" sequence. This scene of Snow White and the Prince up amongst the stars was one that Walt Disney showed quite a bit of enthusiasm for. Unfortunately, it was set during the "Some Day My Prince Will Come" song, and Walt felt it just wasn't essential to moving the story along.

Feature Article

[CLICK INDIVIDUAL IMAGES FOR LARGER VIEW]

Another interesting article highlights the Walt Disney Feature Animation Research Library and how it's played an integral part in the development of the individual WDCC figures...including the one above.

Walt Disney Feature Animation Research Library

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Also accompanying the Sketches Magazine was the WDCC 2006 Winter Catalog supplement with all the latest figurines. Again Snow and the Prince made the cover photo.

WDCC 2006 Winter Catalog Supplement

Special thanks to Sandie of savvy for supplying the free copy of the magazine for this post.

WDCC Postcard/Pin for Kent Melton Sculpts, 2003

This postcard was sent out to promote sculptor Kent Melton's 2-piece Snow White set And Away To His Castle We'll Go and To Be Happy Forever, I Know. Card measures 6" x 4".

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The promotional pin is different from those of past WDCC promotions in that it's a "pin" with a post-back rather than a "button" with a pin-back. At 2" x 1.5", it is also much smaller in size than the earlier buttons which measured 3.5" x 2". Backside reads "Walt Disney Classics Collection; Limited Edition 5000; © Disney China".

Button vs. pin comparison...

Kent Melton and the WDCC Snow White/Prince Figurines, 1998-2006

Artist Kent Melton was working on live-action film projects in California when in the early 1990s he landed the job of sculpting all the character maquettes for Disney's Aladdin. His artistic reputation soon grew within the company and when in 1992 the first porcelain pieces began to appear in the Walt Disney Classic Collection, he was a natural recruit. To date, Kent has sculptured more than half of all the WDCC figurines produced.

Kent Melton sculpting maquette for Tangled.

Image via Cosmo Animato.

When it comes to pairing Snow White and Prince sculpts together, Kent has been the go-to guy. The first was A Kiss Brings Love Anew, a numbered limited edition of 1650. It was released at the 1998 Disneyana Convention held September 7th-11th at WDW's Contemporary Resort.

The piece measures 11" x 10" and is 9 1/4" tall. The flowers at the base of the bier and around the pillow are handmade. The backstamp had a special 1998 Disneyana logo with an image of Walt Disney. A Certificate of Authenticity came in the box as well as a Disneyana Convention Certificate of Verification. Retail price was $750 (USD).

Item Number: 11K-41307-0 (Old)/1028765 (Current) 
Stock Images copyright Disney

Additional detail images via disney_magic.

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Introduced in March 1999, I'm Wishing for the One I Love featured the scene where the Prince and Snow White meet. This was the first time two WDCC characters had been sculpted separately but sold together as a set.

Snow is 8 1/2" tall, the Prince 9 1/4". She's wearing her rag dress. His dagger is fashioned from pewter. First year bottom-stamp was the sorcerer's hat. This open edition set was retired March 2000. Retailed for $295 (USD).

Item Number: 11K-41412-0 (Old)/1028797 (Current)

Additional image via misscathy191.

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This set featured the two figurines of Snow White on horseback, And Away To His Castle We'll Go, and the Prince standing by her side, To Be Happy Forever, I Know. Again bundled and sold together, the open edition pair was released in July 2003.

Snow White with horse is 9 1/2" high, Prince 8 3/4". Knife and horse are stirrups made of pewter. The first year production mark was the harp (from 1947's Mickey and the Beanstalk). Retired October 2007. Set retailed for $450 (USD).

Item Number: 1228042

Additional images courtesy of Duckman's WDCC.

Additional detail images via Valentine Tack Store.

Read a short article on this set and it's sculptor at LaughingPlace.com.

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Released March 2006, A Dance Among the Stars featured Snow White and the Prince from the dream wedding sequence that never made it into the film. Measures 8 5/8" tall. This open edition was retired December 2009. Retail price $295 (USD).

Item Number: 4004515

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The Snow White and Prince Sculpture Base was also introduced in March 2006. The open edition porcelain platform retailed for $50 (USD). Still available. (Wedding couple was sold separately.)

Info/stock images courtesy of Duckman's WDCC Inside Report. 

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Kent's numerous other Snow White WDCC figurines include:

• Fairest One of All/Dancing Partners 
• Take the Apple, Dearie 
• Musical Dwarfs
• Bring Back Her Heart
• Who is the Fairest One of All
• Deadly Intent
• Whistle While You Work/Dwarfs' Cottage Bench
• A Sweet Send Off
• Now Begins Thy Magic Spell