Halloween

A very Happy Halloween to all. The subject of today's post is quite relevant to this very special of days... During the mid 70's (1974-78) New York based photographer Larry Racioppo snapped shots of trick or treaters out and about in the streets. Among the photos are some nice examples of the commercially available "dimestore" masks of the time. Fortunately, these photos were compiled into a book entitled Halloween. In addition, photographs from Racioppo’s Halloween series are curated in the New York Public Library’s Digital Collections. Here are a few samples featuring young ghouls proudly wearing their monster masks...

Two More Days...

The Masks of the 2003 Paper Magic Catalog

The 2003 Paper Magic Company catalog is massive at 248 pages, with over 150 pages dedicated to costumes and accessories, and another 50 for home decor. For the purpose of this post, I'll focus on the 23 pages of masks in the 2003 PMC catalog. There is a nice mix of modern and vintage styles, many of my personal favorites appear on pages 164-65...

Even though these are "value" masks, I adore the retro vibe of this assortment (and actually have a handful of these rubber heads in my collection).  Here are a few other faves from the mix...

Paper Magic Co. "Father" mask

Paper Magic Co. "Franken Zombie" Mask

Paper Magic Co. "Hooded Heathen" Mask

And now on to the catalog pages...

1983 Don Post Studios Marketing Materials

Some of the Don Post Studios monster merchandise campaign materials from 1983...

Dimestore Gold

Several Topstones and even an early Don Post Studios Frankenstein Monster mask line the magazine rack...

Image Source: Raymond Castile's Photostream

Getting Giffy With It

Image Source: Rhett Hammersmith

2003 Illusive Concepts Catalog

Properly, this catalog was included in the 2003 Don Post Studios catalog, however it's being posted separately in order to archive it easier in the Monster Mask Catalog Archive. Another big thanks goes out to Matt Post for providing these scans. Enjoy creeps...

Trix or Treat Headquarters

While this Vintage Halloween Headquarters Sign is a repost from a few years back, the very idea of "candy, masks, and costumes" put a big smile on the Phantom's face this morning and seemed quite appropriate share again for the season...

 

 

Pure Halloween Goodness

From the collection of the Crimson Ghost...