Saturday, September 19, 2009 Saturday Morning Casket Gazing

It always makes me wonder when a friend calls because they saw a casket at a sale and knew I would want to look at it. But of course he was right and it was worth it to see this unusual little gem. The people selling it estimated it at about 125 years old.



The casket is unusually small (at around 5 feet) but larger than a child's coffin. The seller claimed that a small woman had it made for herself but then moved "out west" and did not take it with her.
The details make this specimen special. The removable viewing panel for the head always creeps me out. All of the original coffin screws are present, complete with decorative hardware.



There is some damage but nothing to indicate any serious structural problem. I haven't seen pin striping on a coffin before, and it adds a bizarre flair.



The sticker said $350, and it is probably worth it. When you already have two in storage, you aren't willing to spend that much for the privilege of storing a third. Sure is pretty though.

Saturday, September 12, 2009 Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House!!

In 1962 Disney released "Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House" in glorious Monophonic. Sickie Ickie over at HauntForum had this LP for sale and I had to get it. Way too many hours of my youth were spent listening to this record on an old blue plastic clam-shell record player. In fact I hold this record responsible for my lifelong "Halloween kick" (as my family calls it).

It is cool to see that many folks hold an unhealthy fascination for this record. Check out the 3-D recreation of the album cover by Ray Keim over at Haunted Dimensions.

To listen to the tracks check out DavesWorld56 site.

There is something about listening to raw vinyl. The pops and clicks are something I have sorely missed.