The Fire-King Creech Mug

Anchor Hocking Glass Company was founded way back in 1905, and to this day has continued non-stop in producing millions of glassware item masterpieces. (CLICK HERE for more about it.) But for this post, we are going to take a quick look at one exceptionally unique design that was introduced as part of their iconic, midcentury Fire-King line of highly durable, borosilicate tableware. So, slowly scroll down, and gaze upon the fantastic, Kimberly Diamond Green Fade. Or as some of us like to call it, "The Fire-King Creech Mug." Clearly designed shortly after "Killer Kimberly" herself hunted down a gill man creature from the blackest of all lagoons, and then slayed it. She probably filleted it. And then she proceeded to make dynamic drinking glasses out of that gorgeous, glossy green hide! It sure beats the ever livin' Hell out of super trendy Jadeite, too! All joking aside, if you say the words: "Fire-King Creech Mug" over and over a few times fast, you will know exactly why this magnificent monster mug means business!

Look! Summer Sun Look

We officially entered sweet Summer a few days ago, so now who among you believes they can find a better example of midcentury light bulb packaging than this? Come on, --try me! All sides colorful, and covered in beautiful, beachy keen, painted artwork. Swimsuits, sandcastles, sail boats, scuba shoes, and men handling their big 'ol balls. Lovely lettering too. Heck, even the sun lamp bulb itself is a wondrous, work of perfect design. Okay, maybe the caution side of the box could've used another bathing beauty, --but it's important to pay attention to those wise words sometimes, I guess. Another amazin' example of vintage lamp art can also be found in the ever astonishin' AEET Archive right HERE! Go now, get astounded, --TODAY!

Around-the-Neck Mirror

Two very fine, vintage examples of the 'ol "Around-the-Neck" hands-free mirror, complete with original MCM, and psychedelic era packaging variations. For applying make-up, or shaving for men, adjusts to all angles, via plain and / or magnifyin' your magnificent mugs (see also: viewing whatever body part needs a closer inspection!) Just wrap the metal meat hook around your nimble neck, and dim the lights. Speak the proper incantation, thus allowing the seductively sinister Sorceress of the Mirror to appear. Now, slit your throat as an eternal love offering to all that is attractively evil. Folds up nicely to fit back inside the box. 

Meat the Family "Chef"

Yes, you read that right, it's time to meet the family "chef!" And without uttering a single word, our happy hottie homemaker is here, (via Hunter Packing Co.'s 1951 complimentary cooking booklet), to show you how to: 1.) find a tempt-tasty recipe... 2.) buy the perfect cut of meat... 3.) store the meat until it's time to prepare... 4.) strategize a game plan with the help of seasonings... 5.) give that meat the business! 6.) present said heavenly dish... and finally 7.) make HIM cut that damn thing up! Seriously now, does the "chef" have to do everything??!! 

A Shame.

I promised you another tray (see our previous post HERE), and this time we're going waaaay way back to the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair for a souvenir tin tip tray featuring a sneaky peeky little upskirt action gag. Yes, the Victorians were most certainly not above saucy cracks such as this, of course! And I'm just thrilled that it all comes across much more creepy than was likely intended!

Crème de la Booze Tray

A serious question for all of you happy party hosts and hostesses out there: When serving up liquid refreshments to your thirstiest guests, what kind of tray are you actually using? If your answer is, "Not the one in today's AEET post", then Mr. Karswell is here to rather roughly remove your pathetic hosting patches and badges! Not so happy now, are ya? But seriously, is this not the best party tray of all time? That amazing, midcentury cartooning and coloring by Joe Carpenter, not to mention the beautiful hand lettering, sure hits it hard in all the right places, with everyone blowin' 3+ sheets to the super soused winds! I'm predicting someone is seriously gonna need a couple of real angel kisses in the morning just to manage a fracturing fall right outta bed!

Wild's Palace of Poison

I recently unearthed an unused matchbook for STL's infamous midcentury, horror-themed neon carhop, Wild's Palace of Poison (1947 - 1964.) That's right, a friendly drive-in restaurant that really only wanted to kill you with their wonderful sense of morbid humor, and not actually with their tasty food. Once located at 1500 Lemay Ferry, directly across the street from Mount Hope Cemetery where both my Aunt Becky and dear friend Tommy are laid to rest, Wild's was a gimmicky fast food joint where you could wash down a Murder Burger with an Arsenic Fizz, and then be officially declared null, void, and all shook up with your very own signed Death Certificate after closing the coffin lid on your fine dyin' 'n dining experience. I've included a variety of other related images below that I found 'round the 'ol www, but I also someday hope to do a more lengthy post about this once popular hot spot where my Mom and Uncle apparently spent a great deal of "hip" teen time cruising for kicks, Vampire Kisses, and Black Widow licks.