Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?
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Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?
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
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
Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?
That is a transogram sculpture for sure. So this must have been made in 1966.
Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?
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?
Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?
There were foreign companies that made bootlegs of the transogram Batman bank too.
- A. Pennyworth
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Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?
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?
- A. Pennyworth
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Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?
some other examples of the plastic transogram including a Superman
Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?
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.
- A. Pennyworth
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Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?
Yes I was just posting the higher quality transograms plastic photo examples for comparison if chalkware examples were found.
Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?
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.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.
Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?
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.
Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?
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.
Re: Could this have been the carnival chalkware Batman?
Very cool. Chest emblem design looks based on the TV show.