Picked up another funny novelty gag gift box the other day, and as usual, the art on the lid hints at something you just know is going to conflict with whatever is going on inside the box. Though to be honest, this time it actually penetrates a little closer to the implication than, umm, usual...
***ADULTS ONLY!*** It was always a bit more interesting when adult magazines from the 70's would offer up something different than the usual straight-forward bed/poolside/wheatfield nudie girl lay-out themes. And while there isn't a whole lot of assorted variety in ELECTRA's posing here, this was still quite the memorable 5 pages of electrifyin' space babery from my early youth. I mean, seriously, for me the only thing that ever came close to mixing girls and horror, was mixing girls with science fiction. From the May 1976 issue of Larry Flint's almighty, Hustler.
One of my better old photo finds this week while digging around the dimly lit, dusty corners of forgotten antique malls, was this 1961 Disneyland Matterhorn ride photo opp, complete with original envelope and die-cut window display. These happy people climbed to the very tippy-top of one of Walt's scarier snow covered mountains, survived the dangerous twists 'n turns of the path as well as the Yeti attack, and still managed to have a great photo of their adventure taken as well! Haha, where are they now? And why on Earth did they not hang onto this insanely wonderful snapshot?! I guess I could'a / should'a hung onto this and posted it next month on the 27th, eh?
If you enjoyed our recent crime horror mini-fest over at THOIA, prepare for a nightmarish leftover right here at AEET too! From the August 1951 issue of Crime and Justice #3, --yep, better pinch yourself as hard as you can to see if you're dreaming, or are you trapped in a never ending--
Let it be known that I am now officially a big fan of this 1928 illustrated Buxton girl. Which also means I am equally a fan of Buxton girl fans, of which I just acquired a very lovely Deco era example. Folding inward / outward, neatly and compactly, the 3-piece fan when fully opened, reveals a pretty painted lady plucking berries from a flowery vine, while a colorful parrot watches her with feathery fascination. Signed by Buxton and dated Jan 3rd, 1928, and as noted on the backside of the fan, was a complimentary gift from THE MODEL "Store of Style and Economy" which was originally located not too terribly far away from me in Vandalia, IL.
Wanna see a super cool (Victorian era?) insecticide tin? Edgar A. Murray's FLY DOOM. This giant can contained a full pound of powdery bug DOOM, and seriously, everything about it is just so great, from the variously enormous lettering styles, the "DEATH TO FLIES" tagline, the terrific Halloween color scheme, and the fact that the guy who invented this DOOM not only trade marked the word "DOOM", but he also put his signature right on the label. Edgar A. Murray meant business! The entire back of the can contains detailed DOOM instructions of how to properly use FLY DOOM --I mean, apparently it's safe enough to use around "meat blocks", just make sure you burn all the flies after they've been murdered! You could also purchase other cans to DOOM roaches, moths, bed bugs, and rats too! DOOOOOOM 'em all!!!
Oh look, I dug up some assorted pieces to this cute 1930's Three Little Pigs tin litho Disney tea set by Ohio Art today. Originally the set included more plates, saucers, cups, and even a gorgeous tray, but unfortunately this was all I could find. Anyway, on each plate and saucer we get the big bad wolf doing his best to get ahold of a BLT, but the oinker trio, of course, have other porky plans. Lots of colorful fun, and it's all based on one of the best Silly Symphony cartoons of all time.
I'm always on the hunt for cool painted gothic romance novel cover art, and yesterday's find proved to be a real winner. Yes, there it was staring back at me from the shelf in all of its atmospheric, moonlit winter scenery and ominous mood. As most books presented in this style from this era, we get the flimsily-clad female frantically running away from the dark old haunted house, (CHECK!), --flickering candle in hand (CHECK!), --gnarled, claw-like tree reaching up from the ground like the hand of the undead (CHECK!), --and the eerie escape in... to... the... outhouse?!! Wait a second! This Moriah Thorneycroft Ravensbeak "classic" published by Abandon House isn't actually a book at all --it's a 115 piece puzzle! And a seriously silly spoof of gothic romance novels at that! Further exploring the fine print on the back, Springbok Editions is of course a division of Hallmark Cards, so this was yet another fine, and funny, gift alternative to their usual greeting cards. Be sure to read the hilarious cover blurb and back cover synopsis, (it was the author bio that made me truly bust out laughing loudest though.) And what's this? I found a few more of these book puzzles at the store as well, pokes at Moby Dick, Zorro, and Zane Grey westerns, but by some strange compulsion I only grabbed this one. For now...
I picked up a couple of gorgeous Victorian era chairs last month to enhance the ever ongoing Karswell office upgrade, and after sharing both on FB with my closest inner circle coven of fellow cackling comrades, I thought I'd do the same here because most of you that follow AEET seem to be equally into cinematic creatures and wonton witchery too. Okay now, the first chair immediately grabbed my attention when I saw it at the antique mall, believing that the overall green color and shape of the comfy, claw-like back resembled the Creature from the Black Lagoon's amphibiously deadly monster mitt! Hence why the chair now sits next to a portion of my Creature collection-- natch! The second chair, now dubbed "The Witch Chair" thanks to Mr. Cavin, is a mid 1800's wood carved Stickley-Brandt work of awesome art, highlighted by the double winged demon battle crest and claw-footed design (and yes the chair is now inside, I took the pix outside because the lighting in my office wasn't quite cutting the detail mustard!) So there you have it, come on over and sit for a spell in the 'ol Witch Chair.... get it?
Well, it isn't really, but we are officially halfway to Halloween 2024 though, and if you need a little night cap after our weird Walpurgisnacht festivities over at THOIA HERE, how about this mutha of a story from the March 1956 issue of Astonishing #47 (featuring art by eerie Ed Winiarski.) May is just around the corner, so as usual, stay tombed to both blogs for lots more...
