Masks in the wild

Sir Masksalot · October 16, 2021, 11:45:53 AM

I'm not sure who coined that phrase but it's a good one, used to denote images
of masks taken outside of private collections, usually at retail venues. I've been
taking such pictures for decades, starting at Disneyland's magic shops in the 1970s.

Post Studios product dominated the space back then >

Universal action in the front window >

I've never seen Savage Eye's snarling Frankenstein masks outside of these pics >

This next one dates back to the mid 1960s, taken at what we now believe
is a shop in Disneyland's "New Orleans Square" district >

As a teenager, I had to content myself with photographing masks more often than buying them.
They were so expensive! I hope to be adding more pics to this thread throughout the month
but don't let that dissuade you from adding any you might have. Last shot for now: Forum Novelties
masks at Main Street Magic >

Sir Masksalot · October 20, 2021, 12:44:05 AM

Let's take a look at masks for sale at conventions and related venues, starting with Monsterpalooza.
They're always mask-friendly shows for vendors like Trick or Treat Studios >

Talented independent artists find a welcome there, too >

Latex replicas of vintage wax museum heads can be seen as we delve deeper into the vast dealers room >

Even the Universal monsters turn up now and then >

If you have any pics of masks for sale at conventions, trade shows, or other events, I'd love to see.

Doh! · October 23, 2021, 02:35:54 AM

Awesome photos! I only wish I had been able to take one of the Don Post Wolf Man I saw on display at Six Flags over Mid America in the 70s. My stingy father wouldn't even shell out the measly $50 bucks for it back then...

Therin of Andor · October 23, 2021, 04:26:07 AM

Batman sidekid, 2015 by Ian McLean, on Flickr

Batman has selected the next Robin - and he's just a kid.

And a stray alien in the school library.

Book Week display, 2013: Read Across the Universe by Ian McLean, on Flickr

Sir Masksalot · October 23, 2021, 09:20:26 AM

Many thanks for the replies, gents.

Bert Wheeler Magic on Hollywood Blvd holds a place of honor in my monsterkid memories.
This shop retailed DP's Universal Monster masks for as long as they were in production.
I first set foot inside as a pre-teen kid around the time this incredible photo was taken >

I started taking pictures there myself in the 1970s >

Just a block east was their sister store "Hollywood Magic". Here, I photographed all fifteen
DPS Universal reissues for sale. It was the only retail outlet I'd ever known that carried
the entire series >

As ever, do reply with pics taken at your favorite local mask retailers.

marsattacks666 · October 23, 2021, 04:51:48 PM

Awesome photos

Sir Masksalot · October 26, 2021, 08:16:38 AM

Back in 1979 a fellow collector visited his local toy store one October afternoon
and came away with some eye-popping imagery of their mask selection >

DPS, Savage Eye, Be Something, Cesar ... it'd be worth a trip back through time
just to do some mask-shopping there.

Doh! · October 27, 2021, 12:53:08 AM

Nice adds! I went up to Hollywood Toy and Costume the weekend before last and they have a pretty good mask display -- but won't allow photography. I'm pretty sure I bought a DP Leatherface and "The Shape" from them back in the day. Alas, both have since melted so I tossed them out.

Sir Masksalot · October 28, 2021, 06:24:33 AM

There's a Halloween superstore open year round and only five minutes away from home.

I stopped in earlier this month just to get some up-to-date pics for my "Masks in the Wild" post.

You probably notice there are many empty spaces on their vast sale wall.
This can only be a positive sign.

It means that masqueraders are still buying plenty of masks in 2021.

Doh! · October 28, 2021, 10:01:19 AM

Lucky!

Sir Masksalot · October 30, 2021, 06:09:37 AM

The other day my wife and I were at a nursery, looking at houseplants, when off to the side
a creepy corridor came into view. We took one last look at the world of sunshine and flowers
while venturing inside, just in case we could never re-emerge >

Within the macabre chamber was every manner of Halloween decor, complemented by
full-sized exhibits of the classic Universal Monsters >

I immediately recognized all the heads as Trick or Treat Studios masks >

They had a Phantom of the Opera on display too but it wasn't on a figure.
Don't let any ToTS execs see this!

There you have it, a fitting UMA-style finale for season 2021.

Happy Halloween weekend to all.

Monster Mike · October 30, 2021, 01:16:46 PM

Skeleton entry looks cool. The mummy/creature look decent—I'm guessing someone there made/dressed mannequin bodies? You should have tucked Franky's neckline under shirt.