Vintage Catalin (Bakelite) Pencil Sharpeners

These Snow White plastic pencil sharpeners date from the late 1930s. Each measures approximately 1.25" wide x 1.75" tall and .5" thick. Both the Snow White and Dopey decal images are marked with "© W.D. Ent."

Brown Catalin. Image courtesy of Rick Payne via dadric's attic. Used with permission.

Although these pencil sharpeners are often called Bakelite in reference to the type of plastic they're made from, the Catalin Corporation actually took over the patent from Bakelite in the late 1920s. A new manufacturing process was developed which allowed for a wider range of coloring. The name was changed to Catalin.

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Amber Dopey. Image via Hake's Americana and Collectibles.

On the back of the green sharpener (below) there's an inscription in black “Moody/Commission/Company.” This is the only time Hake's has seen a Disney Catalin pencil sharpener with the name of a business stamped on it--probably used as a store premium.

Red, Amber, Green* image via Hake's Americana and Collectibles.

Another example of the green sharpener, this one with no markings on back.

Green images via RattyAndCatty.

A couple rectangular variations of the Snow White sharpener.

Brown image via crazyjimmyz.

  Amber images via jergle2000.

This round example sports a completely different decal than those above. Measures 1.125" diameter x .375" thick. Possibly dates from the 1940s.

Round Sharpener images via sunnyseller2000.

Contemporary Tin Pencil Cases

This Snow White and Prince 3-piece set contains a larger pencil tin (8 1/4" x 3 3/8") with an inner tray and a smaller pencil box (6 3/4" x 1 5/8") too. It came out a few years ago, created by Tri-Coastal Design and made in China (item # 28518).

Large and Small Tins

Inner Tray

The 3-Piece Set

Inside Smaller Tin

Bottom of Large Tin
Images from personal collection.

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A Princess Pencil Case manufactured by the Tin Box Company. It measures 8" x 3 1/8". Features Aurora, Snow White, Cinderella and Belle.

Images courtesy of Hogback Trading Company. Used with permission.

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A Princess Round Pencil Tin sold in the UK. Two styles: Pink includes Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Blue includes Belle, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

Image via Character Crazy.

Vintage Snow White Paint Tins

These three different children's paint sets were produced in England and date from circa 1938. They all read "The Walt Disney Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Paint Box". In small print: "By Permission Walt Disney-Mickey Mouse". Impressed mark on back reads "Made in England".

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Tin #1...

Lid artwork features Snow White in center surrounded by animal friends. The dwarfs (and a rabbit) to her lower left and right with the cottage and castle above. Measures approximately 3 7/8" x 9 5/8".

Images courtesy of kbt..llllll. Used with permission.

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Tin #2...  

Lid features a Gustaf Tenggren-style Snow White standing in middle surrounded by the dwarfs. Measures 4 1/2" x 6 3/4".

Images via of vetromile. Used with permission.

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Tin #3...

Lid shows the dwarfs presenting Snow White w/pictures they've just painted. Measures 5 1/4" x 10" x 1/2" deep.

Image via Hake's Americana and Collectibles.

Disney Princess Jewels

The Disney marketing tactic of lumping all the princesses together into individual products has never held much allure for me. It seems somehow to lessen the appeal with a feeling of mass merchandising rather than a celebration of the particular characters.

Yet, the Princess Jewels line from circa 2009 had such a fresh take on the design of Snow White (and the others) that I don't want to overlook this series. The dresses were redrawn in the spirit of Mardi Gras with of course plenty of jewels.

In a couple of previous posts, we saw the Snow White composition used in the Disney Soda Fountain pin and the Ping tattoo. But there's more, lots more. With the release of the Princess Jewels came a flood of items into the market. Here's just a few:

Calendar...

16-Month 2009 Calendar

Puzzles...

150-Piece by Meg Puzzles. Also included Gem Stickers.

300-Piece by Tenyo Puzzles (Japan).

104-Piece by Clementoni Puzzles (Italy). Also included 55 Gem Stickers.

School Supplies...

11-Piece Value Pack

Scrapbooking Stickers...

Dimensional Sticker approximately 4" tall.

Party Supplies...

Party Pack

Lip Balm...

15 oz. Raspberry Flavor

Facial Tissue...

Kleenex Box. Image via Liana's Paper Doll Blog.

There's more from the Princess Jewels line, quite a bit more, but you get the idea.