This blow-molded skull is the oldest piece in my collection that I owned since I was a child. I have most of my original issue Aurora monster kits, but this predates them by a few years. When I was 4 my mother dressed me up for Halloween as a prisoner (horizontal-striped suit and cap), put a skull mask on my face and gave me this skull on a black wooden stick. It rattled when you shook it. I remember her walking me up (in costume) to the elementary school where my older sister attended so we could watch the student's Halloween parade. Great memory!
As the years passed I used the black stick as a cane for a Mr. Hyde costume (using the Dick Smith FM Make-up book for guidance) but kept the skull. Sometime in high school I added the candle on top. It went to college with me, and eventually landed on a book case in my studio where it still resides.
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm131/ChrisWhiteStudio/Skull2.jpg)
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm131/ChrisWhiteStudio/Skull1.jpg)
Looking at it, what strikes me is the quality of the details. Compared to the blow-mold skulls found on Bluckys (the blow mold skeletons found around Halloween), it is much more realistic looking. It's suprising no one has redone this style.
A great vintage vibe to this piece, Chris! Cool that you saved it all these years. Nothing like an original piece of your childhood with tons of terrific memories attached to make you feel all warm inside every time you look at it. The candle is a nice touch, too!
QuoteCompared to the blow-mold skulls found on Bluckys (the blow mold skeletons found around Halloween), it is much more realistic looking. It's suprising no one has redone this style.
I'm not sure if this is a Blucky (?not familiar with the term) but here's a blow mold skull available currently at Dollar Tree - I love the "candle in the skull" treatment especially red candle wax blood. This skull is about eight inches high and will be fun to " touch up". I hate the styrofoam skulls everyone pushes, give me plastic any day! It sure is great you still have an original.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/3847437084_5c66878488_o.jpg)
Packy - Yep, those are the ones I was talking about. They have a charm all their own, don't they?
FYI... The term Blucky is a variation of the name "Bucky". A Bucky is a 4th quality full-size skeleton that Anatomical Chart Company sells for Halloween use. The Blucky (for BLow molded Bucky) is found around Halloween and many home haunters (myself included) use them to fill in displays. Some folks "corpsefy" them. Since my haunts tend to be on the lighter side , we dress them up to go with the haunt theme that year. Big Lots usually carries them.
I know this is late, but I just found this thread!
Chris, if you're still here, could you answer a few questions? Your picture and description rattled a memory in my noggin!
You said this skull came on a stick, and it rattled when you shook it. Perchance did the skull have stick on eyeballs as well? The reason why I ask is because for October 64, I had a skull exactly like the one in your pic. Except it had two eyeballs!
Rod
Hi Rod, just happened to look over this thread again.
I don't remember any stick on eyeballs, and looking at the skull, there is no residue that would suggest there ever being any there.
But - I would have had mine in 61 or 62. It is certainly plausable to think that the manufacturer would extend the shelf life of these accessories by making superficial changes to them...like eyeballs!
Thanks for the clarification, Chris! I'm pretty sure the skulls we had were the same as yours. The eyes were two red discs stuck in the sockets.
Rod