Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?

1966 TV show type Bat-Items found on eBay, Collectibles, etc.

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BiffPow
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Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?

Post by BiffPow »

Found this chalkware “B-Man” bank referenced in a Hakes auction. It was identified as a “circa” 1966 chalkware bank. There were 1966 era chalkware Batman banks but didn’t look like this. There was a PLASTIC one that looked quite like this made by Transogram, but has differences in detail, including the raised bat emblem, “B-man” logo and the placement of the coin slot. Is it possible Transogram acquired the mold and retooled it a bit?

I used to have many of the other old carnival statues, like Superman, Popeye, King Kong, Snow White, etc., in multiple variations of paint jobs. If a carnival chalkware Batman ever existed, it could have looked like this.

https://www.hakes.com/Auction/ItemDetai ... STATUEBANK
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BatToys
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Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?

Post by BatToys »

That is a transogram sculpture for sure. So this must have been made in 1966.
BiffPow
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Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?

Post by BiffPow »

I found the 1966 Transogram catalog page for their Batman bank, identifying it as “plastic.” No mention of a chalkware version. Transogram DID make chalkware figures (a Nativity set in the 1930s, for example), but they appear to be pre-1960s. Perhaps Transogram made the chalkware carnival figure and then reused the mold in 1966 to make the plastic Batman bank?
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BatToys
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Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?

Post by BatToys »

There were foreign companies that made bootlegs of the transogram Batman bank too.
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A. Pennyworth
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Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?

Post by A. Pennyworth »

Here is an example of the Transogram 20" plastic bank. Repaint perhaps? The label is torn and you can see the same shade of grey underneath so maybe original?
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A. Pennyworth
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Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?

Post by A. Pennyworth »

some other examples of the plastic transogram including a Superman
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BiffPow
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Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?

Post by BiffPow »

The one sold at Hakes is not plastic it’s “plaster”/chalkware. Plus the “B-man” and the chest emblem are raised, not labels or painted.
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A. Pennyworth
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Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?

Post by A. Pennyworth »

Yes I was just posting the higher quality transograms plastic photo examples for comparison if chalkware examples were found.
BiffPow
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Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?

Post by BiffPow »

A. Pennyworth wrote: Mon May 29, 2023 6:07 pm Yes I was just posting the higher quality transograms plastic photo examples for comparison if chalkware examples were found.
I see. Thanks, John. I’ve heard that chalkware Batman statues were made, but in all my years in antiques and collectibles, I don’t remember owning or even seeing one in person. Then I saw this (and also another one with “Batman” spelled out in a script) in this style. Just found another example, which I will post now.
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BatToys
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Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?

Post by BatToys »

Batman toy expert Ed Kelly shared this photo of a possible 1940s Batman carnival statue made out of lead. The other picture of the chalkware Batman lamp is from 1968. Ed gave permission to share the pictures here.
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JiminyD
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Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?

Post by JiminyD »

Image

I don't know where I picked this up but it's definitely chalkware. The design is the same as an old lamp I have in storage somewhere.
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BiffPow
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Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?

Post by BiffPow »

Very cool. Chest emblem design looks based on the TV show.
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