This trophy was on eBay, late October 07'. Most of us are aware of the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place trophies that
were awarded to winners of the Famous Monsters of Filmland/Aurora Corp. contest and the accompanying
certificates. No one I've talked to, with Aurora history, remembers seeing this particular trophy in connection with that competition. Phil Ceparano writes;
The lack of any "Aurora" wording had me thinking this isn't an official trophy connected with the contest. Later, I received this e-mail from Bob Morris:
So there ya go... you decide. - Buc |
This piece was manufactured in the early 1960s for distribution through local model shops, and is much much rarer than the vacuform plastic Frankenstein plaque that pops up from time to time. The trophy is extremely well made...very impressive and statuesque. The Frankenstein figure itself is beautifully modeled directly off of the famous Aurora Plastics figure kit, and cast in gold plated metal . It is a heavy and substantial piece, the Monster's arms to his sides and standing atop a base that resembles a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup! He is bolted through a base of white/ivory marbleised bakelite -type plastic, made to resemble polished marble stone. The front of the trophy consists of a sliding "brushed gold" plaque that measures 3-3/4" X 2" that proclaims "1st PLACE - MONSTER CONTEST", with a 1-1/4" tall line drawing of Frankenstein's head, right off the cover of the classic James Bama Aurora model kit box. Under this is a drawing of the "Aurora Bat" (from the Dracula and Batman kits) and a spider web and spider sprawls eerily across the bottom of the plaque. The trophy stands overall about 10" tall, and base itself is about 4-3/4" wide X 2-1/2" deep. Overall in really excellent condition for being over forty years old...there is a tiny chip on the top left edge of the slot that holds the plaque in (see pic), but this is very minor. It is otherwise immaculate. This piece is offered from the collection of Bob "Mr. Monster" Morris, and is fully guaranteed as presented.
- mondo*memories |