Classified Corner: Making Masks...

The classified ads of Fangoria provided many opportunities for aspiring mask and monster makers to learn the trade. Today's Classified corner takes a look back at those ads, both classified and larger, that tempted would-be mask makers with nuggets of knowledge and enlightenment... 

1984-85 Fango Classifieds

This edition of Classified Corner features a handful of classifieds pulled from issues of Fango published between1984-85. These classifieds were often the only way a mask maker could reach out to collectors at the time. The list the of the studios and artists found in these ads includes: House of Horror Studios, David Ayres Studios, Bizarre Creations, Nightmare Factory, Death Studios, and John Dods Studios

October 1984

December 1984

June 1985

October 1985

November 1985

December 1985

Count Fangor Mask Ad

The first Classified Corner of the year features an ad from page 66 of the October 1980 of Fango (Issue #8). Back in 1980, the fledgling magazine apparently had a cartoonish mascot... "Count Fangor". The ad offered "all serious Fangorians" the opportunity to own an official Count Fangro mask created by R. Quinn Studios...

Count Fangor Mask

Morbid Mask Studio Mask Making Kit

This classified ad for the Morbid Mask Making Kit appeared in the back pages of the UK publication The Dark Side. I'm not sure when the issue was published, but I've always been fond of the mummy illustration that accompanied the ad...

  

Imaginative Creations Classified Ad

Here's an ad for Imaginative Creations that appeared in 1982 in the classified section of Fango. The ad itself is next to impossible to read due to the small type size.  But, it does showcase the "Man-o-saur" and "Gorgona" mask which can be seen in the '82 catalog, which hasn't been posted here yet, but I'll be sure to get it up in the next few days.

1999 Death Studios Ad

This small black and white ad for Death Studios appeared in a 1999 issue of Haunted Attraction Magazine (issue #17).  The ad featured photos of the Gray Werewolf, Screamer, and Anibus masks...

Death Studios - "Gray Werewolf" Mask

Death Studios - "Anibus" Mask

Death Studios - "Screamer" Mask

Bill Nelson Ultimate Alien

Here's a classified ad for Bill Nelson's Ultimate Alien Mask. I don't have an exact date on the ad, but it's probably from around '79-80. For some nice for color shots of this mask, check out this old post of Cinemagic Magazine.

Weirdom Mask Ad

This classified ad for Weirdom masks was dug up from the December 1986 issue of Fango. Weirdom was a small studio run out of Philadelphia by none other than mask maker extraordinaire Jordu Schell...

In case you missed a few years back, here's a link to a look at a larger Weirdom Mask ad

David Smith Studios - Classified Ad

This classified ad for early David Smith monster masks could be found in the back of the July 1982 issue of Fango...

More of David's amazing work can be seen on this old post

The Crypt Classified Ad

This classified ad for Boulder Colorado based mask studio "The Crypt" appeared in the August and October '85 issues of Fango. Just yesterday I learned from a fellow head hunter that Frank Coffman was the artist behind the masks of The Crypt. in fact, Mr. Coffman is still making masks today as Coffman's Horror Masks.

Distortions Unlimited Classified Ad

This classified ad for Distortions Unlimited appeared in the back of Fango #13 in June 1981. The ad itself features a crude black and white photo of the Nightmare II mask and offers a 16 page color catalog for two bucks...

Thanks to the Green Ghoul for the following images of the Distortions Nightmare II...

Distortions Unlimited - "Nightmare 2" Mask

Custom Painted Distortions Unlimited - "Nightmare 2" Mask

Don Post - Freddy Krueger Mask Classified Ad

For a brief period in in early 1988, The Don Post Freddy mask was offered up for sale in the back classifieds of Fango. The Freddy mask was sort of a generic overall Freddy, not really based off the design of a particular movie.

"Freddy" Mask Ad

Don Post Freddy Mask

Don Post Freddy Mask

Don Post Freddy Mask Tag