53 replies to this topic

[crystal palace fireworks]

Does anyone remember those different coloured compressed cardboard (like egg box card) guy fawkes masks from the 60s & 70s that all the newsagents used to sell?

I would love to know who made them?,......can`t seem to find any info on them!

[David]

Do you mean like here- watch from about the 10 minute mark

[crystal palace fireworks]

Do you mean like here- watch from about the 10 minute mark

Thanks David but No,.........basically they were all the same 3D shape with the eyes and mouth cut-out,...and which came in mostly bright flourescent yellow, orange, red colours with black smudged markings on the face to highlight the features (a bit like the Pains guy fawkes face logo).

Some kids used to use them on the Guys!

Edited by crystal palace fireworks, 07 October 2009 - 04:27 PM.

[Creepin_pyro]

Not sure I can remember what you're referring to, but I did stumble upon this the other day:

http://www.bigbangfi...s/1577217_1.pdf

[Firefiend]

How about these! (Wish I had one).

[crystal palace fireworks]

Not sure I can remember what you're referring to, but I did stumble upon this the other day:

http://www.bigbangfi...s/1577217_1.pdf

Thanks Creepin_pyro, but nope there not the mask,....That mask is from the Film "V" for Vendetta I believe,....excellent mask though (would have sold in there millions had they had been around in my day, and are much better the ones Im on about).

[Rip Rap]

Does anyone remember those different coloured compressed cardboard (like egg box card) guy fawkes masks from the 60s & 70s that all the newsagents used to sell?

I would love to know who made them?,......can`t seem to find any info on them!

I can remember them well! As you say, they were made from cheap, pulp card, like egg boxes. They used to tear really easily.

There were 2 or 3 different types that I can personally remember, each with different colourings & markings. At the end of bonfire night, we used to throw them on the fire (along with dozens of fired fireworks! - If only we knew what would happen to British fireworks!) I think that they were just produced for the various firework manufacturers, as a cheap give away when you bought their fireworks. I can definitely remember buying fireworks & the newsagent would just pop a couple of these masks in the bag for free.

By the way - I think you will find that the pic Firefiend has posted is of different Guy Fawkes masks - just earlier types - probably 50/60's. They come up on fleabay very occasionally.

[Firefiend]

Hi. The masks I previously posted were from the 60's and 70's and possibly earlier. They were made of papier-mâché and sold in virtually all shops that sold fireworks. I used to use them on the Guys we made. I have another picture of a few variants including a couple of later plastic ones.

I also have an old Astra advert from 1965 showing the mask in good use!

A.E. Bangham was at least one of the manufacturers. Here is a link to one of their adverts from 1970:
A.E. Bangham Advert 1970 - Masks

[cooperman435]

This one?




For reference Im in no way affiliated with the Warner Bros. studios, nor do I gain in any way from their promotion.file:///E:/DOCUME%7E1/PHILLC%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png

[crystal palace fireworks]

I can remember them well! As you say, they were made from cheap, pulp card, like egg boxes. They used to tear really easily.

There were 2 or 3 different types that I can personally remember, each with different colourings & markings. At the end of bonfire night, we used to throw them on the fire (along with dozens of fired fireworks! - If only we knew what would happen to British fireworks!) I think that they were just produced for the various firework manufacturers, as a cheap give away when you bought their fireworks. I can definitely remember buying fireworks & the newsagent would just pop a couple of these masks in the bag for free.

By the way - I think you will find that the pic Firefiend has posted is of different Guy Fawkes masks - just earlier types - probably 50/60's. They come up on fleabay very occasionally.

Thanks riprap,...you have jogged my memory, I think your right on many points,........I guess they could have of been give-aways with fireworks from the manufacturers(unless the newsagents wholesalers stock them around that time of year).

They were thickish around the edges but a bit flimsey in the middle on ocassion (especially if they got wet), I think they were free if you spent enough on fireworks.

[crystal palace fireworks]

Hi. The masks I previously posted were from the 60's and 70's and possibly earlier. They were made of papier-mâché and sold in virtually all shops that sold fireworks. I used to use them on the Guys we made. I have another picture of a few variants including a couple of later plastic ones.

I also have an old Astra advert from 1965 showing the mask in good use!

A.E. Bangham was at least one of the manufacturers. Here is a link to one of their adverts from 1970:
A.E. Bangham Advert 1970 - Masks

Firefiend this is fantastic,..where on earth do you find this stuff? you must have one hell of a collection,.....have you though about putting on an exhibition?,...I think the UKPS comittee would love your input if we get the heritage site thing going!

The earlier posting of pics (yellow red green masks) are exactly the type/style/shape of masks I bought and used on my guys when I was a kid,...they would have been around the mid to late 1960 at least (perhaps even a bit earlier), when Astra fireworks were the most prominent selling brand my area of east london (plaistow) along with Standard,....wow I love the Astra photo, that kid on the right is wearing the jumper I used to have,....honest I swear!

If one comes up on fleabay, please let me know,....I would love to try and make a mould!

thank you

Edited by crystal palace fireworks, 08 October 2009 - 09:39 AM.

[Firefiend]

Hi Crystal Palace Fireworks.

I have got quite a large collection of memorabilia, but unfortunately no masks. I've bid on a few over the years but was never successful. They typically went for £20-30 which I would willingly pay for one now. A couple of years ago someone alerted me to the fact they had seen a full perfect box of 100 of them (all colours) at a shop clearance auction near Pemrokeshire. When I contacted the auctioneer they told me the had sold for only £2!! I was hoping as a result they might appear on eBay, but they never did - just hope that they were not all given to kids to play with as they last about 5 minutes.

Apart from the items in my collection I have thousands of images which I have collected from various sources over the years and would be happy to contribute any information or pictures I have to UKPS regarding any heritage site.

[crystal palace fireworks]

Hi Crystal Palace Fireworks.

I have got quite a large collection of memorabilia, but unfortunately no masks. I've bid on a few over the years but was never successful. They typically went for £20-30 which I would willingly pay for one now. A couple of years ago someone alerted me to the fact they had seen a full perfect box of 100 of them (all colours) at a shop clearance auction near Pemrokeshire. When I contacted the auctioneer they told me the had sold for only £2!! I was hoping as a result they might appear on eBay, but they never did - just hope that they were not all given to kids to play with as they last about 5 minutes.

Apart from the items in my collection I have thousands of images which I have collected from various sources over the years and would be happy to contribute any information or pictures I have to UKPS regarding any heritage site.

How frustrating,.....I can`t bear the idea that those masks would be used the same way today (nobody makes them anymore),.....£2 for 100 (unreal).

Thank you for your offer to contribution to the heritage site project,......its collectors like yourself that keep alive our great UK fireworks history of yesteryear!

[Firefiend]

I've just managed to get one of the old 1960/70's Guy Fawkes Masks for my fireworks memorabilia collection at long last Amazing condition for its age. The seller had two others available which I did not buy. If anyone is interested in the details, please pm me. One has a small split in it but I think it could be easily repaired. Here is a picture of them: Guy Fawkes Masks

[blasterbert]

i to have a large collection of old standard stuff from the 60s to mid 80s.trouble is i get upset every time i look at them because it brings up memories of my childhood.as soon as that bs 7114 part 2 1988 came in bonfire night was never the same.

Edited by blasterbert, 04 March 2010 - 06:38 AM.