Mail-Order Mysteries
0
0
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, Menrva Books earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Author Description
Rediscover your sense of wonder! Generations of comic book readers remember the tantalizing promises of vintage novelty advertisements that offered authentic laser-gun plans, x-ray specs, and even 7-foot-tall monsters (with glow-in-the-dark eyes!). But what would you really get if you entrusted your hard-earned $1.69 to the post office? Mail-Order Mysteries answers this question, revealing the amazing truths (and agonizing exaggerations) about the actual products marketed to kids in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Pop-culture historian Kirk Demarais shares his astonishing collection, including: 100 Toy Soldiers in a Footlocker Count Dante’s World’s Deadliest Fighting Secrets GRIT Hercules Wrist Band Hypno-Coin Life-Size Monsters Mystic Smoke Sea Monkeys Soil From Dracula’s Castle U-Control Ghost Ventrilo Voice Thrower...and many, many more! With more than 150 extraordinary, peculiar, and downright fraudulent collectibles, Mail-Order Mysteries is a must-have book comic book fans everywhere. Trust us.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the reality behind vintage mail-order advertisements, revealing what consumers actually received for their money. Pop-culture historian Kirk Demarais presents his extensive collection of peculiar and fraudulent collectibles marketed to children in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. The book explores the gap between the tantalizing promises of novelty ads and the actual products delivered, featuring items like laser-gun plans, x-ray specs, and life-size monsters. It serves as a nostalgic and humorous look at a specific era of consumerism and childhood wonder.
THE SCOPE MAP
- Analysis of over 150 vintage mail-order collectibles advertised in comic books and magazines.
- Detailed examination of products such as '100 Toy Soldiers in a Footlocker', 'Count Dante’s World’s Deadliest Fighting Secrets', 'Sea Monkeys', and 'Soil From Dracula’s Castle'.
- Exploration of the historical context of these advertisements and products from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
- Insights into the exaggerations and fraudulent aspects of these marketing campaigns.
- A collection of extraordinary, peculiar, and sometimes disappointing items that captured the imagination of young consumers.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
The book is presented as a nostalgic and humorous exploration of vintage mail-order novelties, appealing to fans of comic books and pop culture history. The author's collection and research are highlighted as the core of the work, promising to reveal both the amazing truths and agonizing exaggerations of products marketed to children. The description suggests a lighthearted yet informative approach, making it a recommended read for those interested in the consumer culture of the mid-to-late 20th century.
Page Count:
156
Publication Date:
2011-01-01
ISBN-10:
160887026X
ISBN-13:
9781608870264
Art
Humor
Non-Fiction
History
Pop Culture
Collectibles
Community Tags
Similar Books
