taken from ebay auctionhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/1925-Universal-monster-Lon-Chaney-Phantom-Opera-store-display-Mary-Philbin-/260883876087#ht_10193wt_1667
Phantom Brow eyelash and eyebrow store display box featuring Mary Philbin, star of the Universal 1925 film Phantom of the Opera. Her unmasking of Lon Chaney is one of the all time classic scenes of American cinema. Product produced by Carlyle Laboratories NY NY. Photo inset says "Mary Philbin-Star Universal's Love Me and the World is Mine". This film was released in 1927. Keep in mind also that unlike today, films could still be running in some parts of the USA over a year after they were released in the big cities (like LA and NYC).
And make no mistake about this-- the figure of the red Phantom on the box is taken straight off the 1925 window card (see last picture of the repro included in this listing, will be SHIPPED ROLLED). So here it is--- an actual store merchandise item tied into what was arguably the first major US horror film and what started the classic era of Universal monster films.
This is an amazing and historic item.
DISPLAY BOX : measures 3.5 x 6.5 x 1"; the sides have a "new-ish" appearance with unfaded rich red colors and high surface gloss but they do have some creases and bends; the box bottom has a stain on the underside; the lid has been reattached with archival tissue, it has been reinforced on the underside of the lid with archival board and the fold on the middle of the lid that allows it to bend to pop up was originally separated but has been reattached also with the same archival support tissue; box lid has a couple minor amateur black touchups that are small and barely noticeable; overall rates VG to VG+ ;take a look at how amazing this looks when the lid is popped up and the figure is showing
PRODUCT BOXES (7) : these boxes are EXTREMELY fragile; 3 are near mint, 1 is near mint with some minor damage to one end; the other three are mostly near mint--on at least 3 of the box sides--- BUT 1 has a side bent and a small clear tape holding on an endflap and a missing inner flap, 1 has a totally near mint appearance except for a 2 inch seam split on side, 1 has a jagged side split
PRODUCT BOTTLES (7) : all come with a painted red metal cap and paper label; contents almost completely dried out except in 2 bottles with a little still there; 3 have near mint labels and caps, 1 is essentially the same except for 2 small scratches on the cap; 2 have near perfect labels but have some cap damage due to leakage; 1 has a discolored label and some cap leakage damage
BRUSHES (6) : 3 are marked "Japan sterilized", one is marked Germany and the 2 yellow ones are umarked; the yellow ones are an odd kind of plastic (?)--very brittle--and the other 4 are wooden; I am inclined to think the wood ones could be replacement but they certainly are the right size and "look"; it is also possible they are original but I cannot make a guarantee but I admit it is odd that 6 brushes comes in 3 different markings
PAPER INSTRUCTIONS (3) : these were on the most fragile, thin tissue type paper you can imagine; they are VERY fragile and have been backed completely with archival support tissue; before that, it would damage them just to try and handle them or touch them! 2 seem to be near new in look while one was separated in several places with some tears and has been reassembled as best as was possible
VALUE/PRICE : In the past 10 years, a 1925 Phantom 1-sheet poster sold for $155,000; a 1925 insert poster for $23,000; a couple examples of the window card this box image was taken from for $7000-8000 each; a lobby title card for $5600. In this context, I certainly don't think my asking price is out of line.
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