Temple Tuesday: Shirley Crosses The Country

In 1938, Shirley Temple made national headlines as she and her parents traveled by car from California to New York. The Saalfield Publishing Company devoted an entire coloring book to this monumental trip that allowed Shirley’s fans in other states to see her in person for the very first time. Some of those fans included President Roosevelt and FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. Not too shabby, huh?



This was one of the wire photos sent around the world to keep everyone abreast of what Shirley was up to. The accompanying caption:

The biggest star in Hollywood is one of the smallest — Shirley Temple. She’s got a big smile and a twinkle in her eyes for the fans during a motor tour of the country.

It was June 1938 and Shirley was holding a Press Conference in Chicago, wearing a dress from “Little Miss Broadway.”



The dress was part of the 2015 Love, Shirley Temple auction and sold for $4,750.



From the Theriault’s Catalog:

Of a very fine silk crepe with alternating bands of navy blue and white that are printed with vibrantly colored flowers, featuring a fitted yoke, and high-waisted skirt whose pleats are artistically arranged to feature the dark blue stripes when still, and then the white hidden stripes when actively moving about. The dress has fine white organdy collar and puffed sleeves, each with lace trim, and sash with ties. The dress is labeled 13811 S. Temple. It was worn by (Betsy) Shirley Temple in the 1938 film "Little Miss Broadway", notably in the scene when Aunt Sarah creates a scene in the Hotel Variety and Betsy sighs, “I don't know what she's talking about, but I bet she's going to make trouble.” The dress, a favorite of the young star, also appeared in various publicity photographs.

The wooden doll Shirley was holding in the photos, known as Susie Blockhead, was also put up for bid and fetched $4,250.



The auction description:

Having solid domed carved head with chip-carved smoothly varnished finish, high bald dome, tiny cartoon-like painted round eyes with tiny white eye dots, button-shaped nose, downcast pouting lips, stockinette softly stuffed body with separately defined thumb, stitch jointing at shoulders and hips, cotton dress and bandana, undergarments, knit slippers. Excellent condition. The doll, a constant companion of the young Shirley Temple, accompanied her on many travels, and appeared in various photographs with her. It is likely that the doll was Susie Blockhead, described by Shirley as a "floppy favorite" in her 1988 autobiography, Child Star.

When was the last time one of your childhood outfits/toys sold for that much?

See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.