There were many versions of Shirley Temple Paper dolls produced. Some were made during the height of her popularity in the 1930s, others following the resurgence of interest in Shirley during her TV Show years in the 1950s, a few in the 1970s, and then reproductions of the 1930s paperdolls followed in the 1980s.

The paper dolls made during the 1930s are by far the hardest to find and the most valuable. In uncut condition, these paper dolls can command top dollar. The most common 1930s Shirley paper dolls, Shirley Temple Dolls and Dresses was made by the Saalfield Publishing Co. in 1934, there were 4 dolls (two on the front cover, and two on the back), with lots of Shirley clothes and cut-outs inside, these dolls sell for approximately $150 in uncut condition, and around $40-60 in cut condition. Another Shirley Paper doll book was Shirley Temple Dolls and Dresses Her Movie Wardrobe from 1938 which is one of the most sought after of the Shirley paperdolls because the costumes were replicas of those that she wore in her movies, these sell for $200 and up (depending on condition of the book). Others include Shirley Temple in Masquerade Costumes made in 1940 and The New Shirley Temple in Paper Dolls made in 1942. One of the hardest to find is a 34" tall Shirley paperdoll, the front of the doll being on the front cover of the paperdoll book, the bottom part being on the back.

In the 1950s, TV became a popular form of entertainment. During this time, Shirley hosted a popular childrens show on TV and her movies were also shown on the TV channels, which made her popular with a whole new generation of children. More dolls were produced, followed by many other Shirley items including paperdolls. There were a number of new ones made, more than can be pictures here. They were produced again by the Saalfield company but had a distinctly more colorful, less realistic look to them. Besides the normal flap fold-on paper dolls, other more novel attachments were used such as magnetic and tie-on clothes. Though these are collectible, they do not generate the interest, nor the prices that the 1930s books command. Approximate value of these books is between $40-75.

Two sets of paper dolls were released in the 1970s. They were Whitman books released by the Western Publishing Company. Again, they dont have the appeal or artistry of the earlier books, and can easily be found for around $10-20.

In the 1980s, the Dover Publishing Company came out with reproductions of the earlier paper dolls of the 1930s. These can still be found today, and usually sell for around $5-7. These are excellent books to get for your children who love Shirley, but they should not be more expensive to buy than the cover price.