That's One Kooky Costume

Who wore this costume for Halloween 1961? Eggheads, smarty pants and of course fans of all-around expert on everything, Ludwig Von Drake. The garrulous quackster had been introduced just over a month earlier on September 24, 1961, on the premiere episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. The costume is just one of the many pieces of primo Von Drake memorabilia issued to help promote the newly introduced character. (Note that the costume is labeled as a masquerade, not Halloween, costume so that variety stores, five-and-dimes and toy stores wouldn't put these gaudy get-ups out just in October—though perhaps the orange-and-black color scheme of the packaging indicated that Ben Cooper knew which season filled its treat bag.) I unfortunately don't have the tunic-like part of the costume but here's the mask, which as you can see is quite authentic. While this mask is probably a little too small for most of us to slip on we can still imagine what it might be like to go trick-or-treating as one of the most merchandised Disney characters ever. In the meantime be sure and check out the article about Professor Von Drake I wrote for the D23 website. This post is part of the big Countdown to Halloween 2012 blog-a-thon—be sure and check out the other blogs that are counting down to the 31st too!