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How does one earn such a reputation? You start reading books about masks!
Begin with the five essentials:
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Because Don Post Studios closed long before this book went to press,
what we have here is a chronicle of the company's entire history;
arranged by decade. Imagery is full color except for vintage photos,
featuring masterworks from the Langdon/Newman era, the Malone/Short
regime, and beyond. It's a must for your monsterkid library, published
by Blacksparrow Inc some ten years ago.
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Another terror-tome from author Lee Lambert and Shrunken Head
Publishing, 2019. Brace yourself for full page head shots and amazing
behind-the-scenes production photos, all in color. Another plus: sculptures
in progress. This was supposed to be the first in a double-volume set
but still no sign of book two. Not that I mind ... this one sure hit the spot!
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'More awesome full page portraits, all in color. It's a real treat reading the story
of VXXFX in the artist's own words which include the re-discovery of the "Devilman"
mask seen on FM #2 and of Topstone's long lost molds/masters. As a bonus, see all
the VXXFX classics while still in clay! Second edition includes a few additional pics
and text.
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Published last year by Bear Manor Media the two volumes feature reprints of
all the HS fanzines, over a dozen of them, accompanied by images even I never
saw before. 'Close to a thousand pages across both books!
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Dr Lady's self-published guidebook predates all of the above. First editions at
128 pages debuted in 1993. Four years later, edition #2 added nearly a hundred
more pages of what must be every movie monster mask in the galaxy. There's
even a chapter on monster hands, often neglected in such discussions.
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Around that same time, Castle Company Ltd published their price guide of
collectable masks from the likes of Post Studios, Distortions Unltd, and
numerous independents. All in black&white, the characters are grouped
into four sections: Classical Monsters, Contemporary Monsters, Other
Famous Monsters, and Minor Characters. Valuations are all listed in yen
which they tell me can be roughly converted to US dollars by transposing
the decimal point.
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Our cup runneth over in 2015 with two fine monsterkid titles. TwoMorrows
published Mark Voger's which includes a four-page chapter on masks by
Topstone, Ben Cooper, and Post Studios. You'll thrill to one full page depicting
great color reproductions of the 1966 "Calendar" portraits, alone worth the price!
James Burrell's book joined the Rue Morgue library via Marrs Media Inc,
its publisher. At eight pages we get twice the mask coverage as above,
with added attractions like Verne Langdon's Zombie and newcomer Trick or
Treat Studios.
Stand by for part two of my "recommended reading" list ... unless there's a
title you'd like to add yourself. It'll save me the trouble.
Amazing collection! Can't wait to see what is in Vol. 2! :)
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Various masks (many screen-used) appear sporadically throughout pages of
marvelous clutter which comprise these semi-private collections. All
three include props, costumes, posters, toys, life casts, and cover art.
Let me know if you need publisher info on these titles.
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Getting back on track ... these last two books feature masks that were
commercially available, my favorite kind.
A "Creature Features" publication from 2014, The Outer Limits at 50 covers
everything you need to know about the original television series. Collectable
masks are honored with a colorful two-page spread but only towards the very
end and only depicting "Outer Limits" characters.
Blacksparrow Auctions conducted the sale of Dr Shocker's collection. Its
handsome catalog featured model figures, props, vintage toys, autographed
stills, and many unusual masks. Included were Cineart's Frankenstein and
Phantom, a few Pitocco replicas, plus rarities from Alterian Ghost Factory.
There are probably other books that mention monster masks with pictures
beyond these initial thirteen but they're all that come to mind this week.
Advise if I missed your favorites. We're not even counting magazine articles
yet. That would be a huge undertaking but I might be willing to start in
on it if there's enough interest around here for such an inventory.
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