The Yellow Phone

Not to be confused with Joe Hill's "The Black Phone", but okay, I really do stumble upon some wild stuff sometimes. Take for example this old, yellow rotary telephone adorned with a bikini-clad, 90's adult movie star inserted in the center of the dial. It's right here where I would totally crack a "let your fingers do the walking" joke, but eh, that was actually for the Yellow Pages phone book. Annnnyway, did I buy it? No. Do I know the actress's name? Maybe... but I definitely don't know her number. And did I wash my hands thoroughly after touching this phone? You bet.

Doctor Jerque... Go and Hide!

It's a Madhouse here at AEET again this month, because following hot on the heels of our previous EC / MAD post, I now wish to pose a rather queasy question: Does anyone remember Farrell's 50's attempt at a MAD style humor mag? Of course you don't. And to be honest, it's all pretty forgettable anyway, except for one silly ass mad scientist story inside which would've made the THOIA rounds at some point or another, but eh, why give that blog all the jerquiest posts, ya know? See whatchu think... from the March - April 1954 issue of Madhouse #1.

EC etc...

Some neato EC related items that I saw a while back at an antique mall: a very cool 80's re-issue counter display box filled with EC comic reprints! Next, all three, original, 1950's signed EC horror host fan club mail order photos (aka "The Ghoulunatics") of The Vault Keeper, The OG Crypt Keeper, and The Old Witch. (For those of you unaware, each image is a doctored photograph of artist Johnny Craig, with make-up apparently applied by Al Feinstein himself-- *CHOKE GAG!! And finally, a couple of small, but very cute Alfred E. Neuman MAD mag mascot busts, both of which were still available the last time I visited this antique mall, the other items have sold.

The Ankle Watch

STOP EVERYTHING! If our last post about vintage hosiery boxes still has you thinking about long 'n lovely lady legs, then here's an exciting fashion idea, --a very funny 1900 article via La Vie Parisienne Magazine (I forget the issue number, apologies!), allll about The Ankle Watch! Enjoy!

Willow Dale vs. Thoro Fashioned

I promised boxes in our previous post, though not exactly the novelty gag gift kind that we've been spotlighting so far this month. Instead, it's two very old, and beautifully designed, art deco era Willow Dale, and Thoro Fashioned hosiery boxes (yes, I collect these as well!) Both boxes are empty, unfortuantely, but the gorgeous girl art on each of the lids certainly makes them essential additions to the 'ol Karswell collection! I have quite a few more of these to post at a later date too, but you can see another one already in the AEET Archive by CLICKING HERE!

"Have Fun!"

Well, we're still not finished with the 'ol vintage novelty gag gift boxes, but I do hope everyone out there is still having fun and not getting bored. I mean, as long as you have your health 'n wealth, what more could you ask for? Oh wait, happiness... hopefully you're still gettin' some of THAT as well too! *wink! So, is there another box coming up in our next post, you ponder? Howz'about two!!

Instant Flood Control (For Home Use)

With everything under control in our previous post (or is it?), it's now time to address the flooding problem we're facing in the basement! Yep, just when you thought you'd seen the last of these old novelty gag gift boxes, here we go with another one! And once again, the art inside and out is quite stellar and very funny, while the tiny added prop really smells, errr sells, the 'ol twisteroo punchline.

Everything is Under Control, Sir!

It may be the 4th of July here in America today, but is everything, in fact, under control? That was hardly an issue back when this funny old novelty gag gift box was created nearly a half century or so ago. Lovely artwork on the inside and out though, with some very cute, doll-sized clothing to keep everything from REALLY going out of control! So who's laughing now, right? Riiiiiight...

Polyphon Music Box

Check out this beautifully old, late 1800's, German Polyphon turntable style, music box I saw the other day. With it's lever-wind mechanism, metal disc, plus a colorful, hand painted scene inside the lid, Polyphon's typically have a concealed storage compartment underneath which holds more discs as well. This single disc, though a bit warped, still worked and sounded great, but someone in the same room as me wouldn't stop yappin', so the video I shot was useless. Instead, listen to a similar one via Youtube that someone else kindly uploaded-- CLICK HERE. 

Madhouse Pinball

If you saw my previous post HERE where I swapped out the dull sports themed backgrounds of cheap, dime store, handheld pinballs from the 60's and 70's (with much prettier vintage pin-ups!), well, I've made another one out of an old football game. And this time I've brought in the late, great Vincent Price for something a bit spookier and fun. Fans of the 1974 British horror film classic, Madhouse, will undoubtably recognize the face under all of that monstery make-up. And no, the film is still tons more exciting than the game, but it looks extra cool how everything lined up with the score cups. Now, play ball!