1975 "Character Portrait" Lobby Cards

In addition to the standard 1975 North American lobby cards, a second series was also produced. These eight character portraits were sold as a set to theater owners for just $1.00 but required a minimum order of ten sets for $10.00. They were promoted by Buena Vista Pictures (i.e. Disney) to be used as displays in the theater lobby and around town in store windows and at shopping centers. It was also suggested to cinema managers that they'd "make great prizes for your contests." They are indeed very colorful images. Each measures the standard 11" x 14".

This particular set sold in auction on November 13, 2011 for $155.35 (USD).

Lobby Cards via Heritage Auctions.

This lobby card set appeared on page eleven of the 1975 Snow White pressbook (along with the door panel posters seen in an earlier post).

Pressbook Page from personal collection.

1975 North American Lobby Cards

These 11" x 14" lobby cards were sold to theater owners back in 1975 to promote the North American re-release of Snow White. The set included a title card and eight scene cards.

Title Card

The set arrived in this sealed envelope...

The lobby cards (and other promotional posters) appeared on the back cover of the 1975 Snow White pressbook...

Pressbook image from personal collection.

Lobby Cards (50th Anniversary - 1987)

This set of North American lobby cards was sent out to participating theater owners (those who paid) to help promote the 50th anniversary re-release of the film. The 11" x 14" color glossies were printed on a paper material not unlike photo stock.

The movie title appears in the margin below the image. To the right is the "TECHNICOLOR" logo and "G" rating. The fine print reads, "Re-released by Buena Vista Distribution, Co., Inc. © MCMXXXVII Walt Disney Productions."

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1938 British Front of House Cards

What were referred to as Lobby Cards in the US were called Front of House Cards in the UK. These stunning 8" x 10" British posters from the 1938 general release of Snow White are slightly smaller and show completely different images than the American versions. The art is once again taken from the work of our man Gustaf Tenggren. His drawings are featured on all five cards.

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Images via Heritage Auctions.

Lobby Card Lithographs, 1996 and 2007

In 1996, the Disney/MGM Animation Art Gallery at Walt Disney World was selling this nice collection of lobby card lithographs. These reproductions included six out of the eight originals (previous post) from the 1937 theatrical release. Missing were the title card and the Christmas scene.

Each litho measures 11” x 14”, the same size as the originals. The set came in a protective folder sleeve. Original retail price was $35.00 (USD). 

Protective Sleeve

About the Cards

1996 Litho Set. Images via Cartoon Classics. 

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A similar litho collection was released at Disneyland Resort in 2007 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the film. The limited edition set of 1000 also included six of the original eight lobby cards. However, the Dwarfs' log scene was replaced with the Christmas scene.

These reproductions are smaller measuring 8" x 10". The set is enclosed in a collector's envelope with a Velcro closure. The Certificate of Authenticity is printed on the inside.

During the 70th Anniversary celebration at Disney's California Adventure Park, many collectors had their lithos signed by the celebrities on hand. The name most closely associated with the film was Marge Champion. Some of the Disney artists who were at the event included Toby Bluth, Robert Olszewski, David Bird, Dave Avanzino, Yakovetic and others.

Signed Sleeve Cover

COA

2007 Litho Set

Sleeve/COA images courtesy of Swan Song Collectibles and More. Used with permission.

1937 North American Lobby Cards

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These are some beauts! The original lobby cards from the 1937/38 RKO release of Snow White..."in the Marvelous Multiplane Technicolor." Gustaf Tenggren's distinctive contribution to this set is clearly evident in the Witch, Forest, and Log scenes. Each of the eight posters measures 11" X 14", is stamped with "©W.D.P.", and has a description of the image in the lower right hand corner.

Title Card for Set

This last lobby card shows a scene that never occurred in the film's storyboard meetings...hanging stocking on Christmas Eve in the Dwarfs' cottage.

Images via Heritage Auctions.