Cheap Thrills

 Evil Bunny, c. 1930’s, waxed, painted buckram with cotton tie

Phyllis Galembo is an American photographer and professor

who for the past 20 years has been documenting ritual costumes,

masks and masquerades across Africa and Latin America.

From the impressive and extensive portfolio showcased on her website,

this is a small sample of a series of charming and strangely spooky 

vintage Halloween costumes ranging from the 19th century to the 1960s.

 They were part of Dressed for Thrills: Halloween and Masquerade Costumes,

an exhibition originally hosted at F.I.T. Museum, New York in 2003.

Bongo Bear, c. 1930’s / early-1940’s, cotton flannel costume, buckram mask, 

Spotlite Costume manufactured by A.S.Fishbach, NYC.

Big Bad Wolf, c. 1939, painted buckram mask, cotton shirt and pants, 

cotton-covered wire tail, manufactured by A.S. Fishbach, NYC.

Hep Cats, early 1950’s, rayon jumpsuits, plastic mask (one with bells),
manufactured by Ben Cooper. 

Red Riding Hood, c. 1941, cotton skirt with printed illustrations of Red Riding Hood story
trimmed with gold ribbon, cotton cake, manufactured by Collegeville Costumes. 
Brown Bear, c. 1940's, painted buckram mask with cotton jumpsuit, manufacturer unknown.