Another Nymph For Karswell

Yes, nymphs, nymphs, nymphs! If they're anywhere in my vicinity I will find them and I will bring them home and they will sit on my shelf and I will love them. All of them. Especially this gorgeous antique Jasperware planter example I scored last week-- my very first Wedgewood! For those unaware, Jasperware is a type of fine-grained, unglazed stoneware developed by Josiah Wedgewood waaaay back in England in the 1770's. It's known for its matte, bisque finish and the ability to be colored throughout the entire clay body, most recognizably in a rather unique pale blue and white. So here we have a lovely, long-haired, and very bare young lady about to take a dip into a flowing stream surrounded by flowers, cattails, and dive bombing dragonflies. I'm still not sure if I'll use this as an actual vase, though looking inside, it seems to have definitely been used as one in the past. It's all very old and very delicate, and I'm very, very happy that she's mine.

Dumminger: Master Mentalist

In February and April of 1956, Whitestone Publications Inc. entered the world of MAD magazine rip-offs with two issues of the hilariously titled, Lunatickle. Issue #1 was edited by Myron Fass and Pat Kahn, and featured a variety of master talents like Joe Kubert, Lee Elias, and Russ Heath, ribbing on everything from Peter Pan to sexless space. Having said that, we're actually going to take a look at a magician spoof featured in Issue #2, edited by Joe Archibald, and illustrated by the always awesome, THOIA fan favorite, Bob Powell. Dumminger Master Mentalist is a super silly send-up of actual real-life performer, Joseph Dunninger, often considered "the greatest mentalist of the 20th century", most notably during the vaudeville era, as well as on popular radio shows of the 30's - 50's (you can read more about him HERE.) The funniest thing of all about this post though, is that I don't actually have this issue of Lunatickle, BUT I do have the book Dunniger's Monument to Magic, by Jospeh Dunniger himself! That's right, 'ol Dunny had a real sense of humor and actually reprinted the full Lunatickle jab right there in his own book! And as much as I love stage magicians and MAD swipes, I have to admit the real reason I'm posting this story is because I'm insanely obsessed with the Powell illustration of that smiling lady with her lips sandpapered off on page 4, haha... holy moly, that's love at first sight!

Black Demon

No, you haven't accidentally landed on THOIA today-- this demon means you no harm! And in fact, it's actually here to help you! Where ever you are, whatever you're doing, sometimes emergency light is needed. Enter-- The Black Demon! Whether camping, broke down on the side of the road, --or just adding some flare to the five points of your ritualistically inverted floor pentagram (hey, why not?), this re-usable, very vintage, 1940's safety light burns through rain, snow, and very strong winds, and it also has a wonderfully illustrated box that is probably even hotter / cooler than the actual product itself. All hail the Black Demon! *to the tune of Black Diamond by KISS.

New Super-Sex French Tickler Vending Machine

Another interesting thing I saw in a dirty old corner of an antique mall recently was this even dirtier (non-functional?) coin-op condom machine. For only 50 cents you could get the real thing (not a gimmick-- even though the fine print in the pink box clearly states they're to be sold as a novelty item and not used in the wanton ways that cock sheaths are meant to be used whilst wildly wantoning!) Yep, New Super-Sex French Ticklers, cums in assorted lubricated styles and colors, and raised spirals for greater uzumaki stimulation and climaxin' pleasure and -- ohhh kaaay, let's skip all of the sordid product details and talk about that weird, photoshopped girl at the top of the machine. Is that her real hair? Is that even her real HEAD? Seems oddly disproportional to the body too, though it could just be the angle, I guess. The two smaller photos of the other ladies seem to be more from late 70's and-- heyyyy, wait a minute-- is "VARIETRY" even a word??!!

Rocio Para Lucir Una Linea De Ensueño

Speaking of fun, un-used, and old store stock signage (see our previous post), check out this Rocio lingerie advertisement that I picked up in the middle of nowhere a few weeks ago! It's about 20" long and made of a super thin, and very flexible, molded plastic. The Rocio name, woman's torso, and bra pop right off the sign in 3D, and the original scratch-proof, separator paper (or whatever it's called) still clings to the backside. According to Google, the tagline translates into something about "showing off a dreamy line." The assorted retro style stars glittering around her body are indeed doing just that, I might add! Further Googling of anything else Rocio related produced absolutely no information whatsoever, unfortunately. 

Go Get Yourself Some Cheap Sunglasses

Not only has this been one of the hottest summers on record around here, it's been one of the blindingly brightest too! Good thing I stumbled upon this completely unopened counter display of vintage kid sunglasses (that would never in a million years fit my bulbous 'ol adult head!) Did I even buy it? No. But I do love that cool lettering and the happy children illustration seems unintentionally hilarious to me in a way those pie-eyed novelty gag glasses were supposed to make white people look offensively oriental or whatever. Made in Hong Kong too, so oooops... annnnd, nobody ever doodled a price on the card either so these are clearly old store stock, and never even used.

Wanted Posters (Topps, 1975)

A friend recently gifted to me a couple of amazing, unopened wax packs of Topps Wanted Posters from 1975. And how do I know they were never opened? I mean, aside from still being sealed? Both packs still had the groady old, petrified gum sticks in 'em! Scored a couple of good ones too, the "Big Sister" and the "Teacher's Pet", are both very deserving subjects based upon all of the irritating pain they cause the human race. Fun art inside and out, and when completely unfolded, each poster is 10" x 18 1/2" and totally perfect for your bedroom wall, door, and especially inside your school locker. If you're interested in learning more about these, hit up Google and you'll see plenty of examples of the 1967 series, all the way up to the ones from 1980 as well.

Frost King Dropcloth

Here's a great example of eye catching, plastic vintage packaging that will definitely make you wanna buy that somewhat dull product. This thing really has everything you could ever hope for in a dropcloth though, honestly: great color combination design, terrific typography, incredible illustrations complete with super see-thru elements, etc. Oh wait, let's not "etc" too quickly without mentioning the fantastic Frost King mascot too! Seriously, ain't that guy just The Coolest?!!

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.