Nannette Co. Shirley Temple Brand Dresses

Q: I was 3 years old in 1937 when I was flower girl in my aunt’s wedding. I wore a pale blue dress with pink trim and ivory lace at the neck. The tag inside reads “A Nannette Toddler Shirley Temple Brand” along with a picture of Shirley Temple. I still have the dress. What is it worth?

A: Shirley Temple was 5 when she made her film debut. Her 1930s and ’40s retail dresses were designed like her movie costume dresses, in a toddler style even though she wasn’t a toddler. They were made by Nannette Manufacturing Co. of New York City, a division of Rosenau Brothers. The basic design was a skirt with soft pleats and contrasting collar. Fabrics were cotton, organdy and dotted Swiss in prints, plaids, checks and embroidery. There wasn’t much trimming, maybe a small bow, an appliqued figure or narrow lace edging. A 1936 newspaper advertised Shirley Temple dresses for $1.89 each. Dresses for older little girls were made by Cinderella, also a division of Rosenau. Shirley Temple dresses for sale in online shops are priced $30 to $60.