Don Post Studios 300 Line Catalog Sheet

 This Don Post Studios 1970s catalog sheet featuring the 300 Line mask line is a variation from the one previously posted in the Catalog Archives.

I did not realize that the Herman Munster mask was offered as part of the 300 Line until I had found this. While I had mentioned in a prior post about the Don Post Munsters masks that economy versions of the Munsters had been released, I thought this referred to the 800 Line versions. I had no idea that Herman had made his way into the 300 Line as well.

Don Post Studios Munster Masks

Both economy and  deluxe versions of the Munsters masks were released by Don Post Studios around 1964-65. According to David Lady's Guide to Movie Monster Masks these were available from the mid 60's and into the 70's. Here are a few various ads that I have yet to post here of the economy versions as well as the official Herman Munster Headpiece...

 Image Source:  Matt Post

1997 Illusive Concepts Catalog

In 1997 Illusive Concepts was easily the king of the hill of the mass-produced mask and Halloween prop market. The '97 catalog included 40 new items and licenses such as the Universal Monsters, Freddy Krueger, Jason, Tales from the Crypt, Planet of the Apes, and the Munsters.

It's been said here before, but it's worth noting again, during the 90's Illusive Concepts was releasing masks unlike any that had been seen before in terms of sheer size, and thickness. Walking into a Spencer's or other Halloween themed store during the mid-to-late 90's, you couldn't help but being blown away when standing face to face with these massive masks or life sized props.

Thanks to Matt Post for sharing these scans...

1996 Halloween Outlet Catalog - Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of the 1996 Halloween Outlet catalog...  "Movie Originals". The section opens up with some super impressive full size props of Species, Predator, Pumpkinhead, and Alien. There are good number of masks throughout the pages too. Looking back through these pages is a nice barometer of the horror scene of the times...

Tales from the Crypt was in it's final season and the Crypt Keeper is represented with three masks, Species, and Congo also have three masks a piece.  Bram Stroker's Dracula has it's own page full of masks. and lesser titles like The Mask, and Casper also make the cut. And finally, Mary Shelley Frankenstein has a full size, half torso, and mask option too...

Species, Congo, and Predator Masks

Pumpkinhead & Alien Masks

Aliens & Dracula Masks

A Nightmare on Elm Street, Hellraiser, & Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Masks

Tales from the Crypt, Friday the 13th, The Mask, & Casper Masks

Munsters, Wizard of Oz, Planet of the Apes, & Universal Monsters Masks

Batman Forever Masks

The Masks of Famous Monsters - Issue # 32

Welcome to the eleventh installment in The Masks of Famous Monsters Series. Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine was an absolute treasure trove of early mask history. By combing through the 191 issues published between 1958-1983, it's possible to gain a good understanding of the decades of evolution and history of Don Post Studios and Topstone monster masks. The eventual goal of this series is to catalog and archive each monster mask appearance in the pages Famous Monsters.

The March 1965  issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine marked a significant milestone in the history of the publication, and the world of monster masks. For it was issue #32 that saw the debut of Don Post Studios masks in the pages of Famous Monsters. This would represent the beginning of what would prove to be a match made in heaven for both Don Post Studios and Warren Publishing.

Page 83 of issue #32, had the honor of bestowing the inaugural Don Post monster mask ad in FM. Both The Don Post Universal Pictures Rubber Monster Masks and the TV Munster Masks were offered, although the Munsters Masks themselves were not pictured.  These early Don Post monster masks were created with sculpted on hair. This would represent the very first opportunity for readers to order Universal Monster characters in monster mask form! It must have have been the thrill of thrills for all monster kids in the early spring of 1965...

The 1st Don Post Monster Mask ad in Famous Monsters Magazine

Don Post Article - Monster World #3

Monster World #3 featured an article on Don Post entitled "Meet the Man of Many Faces, the Masked Marvel of Monsterville!". The article itself briefly touches on several aspects of Don, and Don Post studios including early motion picture work, the calendar series, lifecasting, and the newly released Munsters masks.

 Here's a close up of the photo of Don Post and Glenn Strange from the bottom of page 18.

Like any good Warren Publication with Captain Company ads, the issue wound down with a full-page mask ad. This one featured both Universal Monsters and Munsters.