Sunday, August 14, 2011

Souvenir Dungeon - Popcorn Boxes

Today's "Souvenir Dungeon" entry definitely falls under the category of "One man's trash is another man's treasure". You've probably seen these early popcorn boxes on one or two other blogs before, but it might not be such a terrible chore to have to look at one of them again. Collectors love ephemera like this because it is a direct link to the early guest experience. The turquoise stripes add a dash of 50's coolness!


Main Street USA doesn't get a mention on the boxes. By the way, I had an extra example of one of these boxes that had turned brown on one side, and it still sold for over $160 on ebay.


You can see one of these boxes in the lady's hand in this 1958-ish photo.


Leaping forward to 1967, here is another example, now with a groovy orange, aqua and lime green color scheme. I wonder if the park offered a variety of sizes; this photo might be a bit larger than the actual popcorn box! It's a serving for a child, perhaps. Or folks just weren't the gluttons they are today.


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12 comments:

  1. Chiana_Chat1:42 AM

    Turquoise! Cute Adventureland illustration. Me like. :)

    You're kidding on $160! ...Aren't ya?

    You know if the quantities were cut down, the price would not be, or would be adjusted part way down and soon go back up.

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  2. Disney Nametags and More2:06 AM

    I've seen the piratey cast member in other photos. Has he ever been identified? Does he really only have one leg, so the peg leg is authenic?

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  3. Anonymous4:36 AM

    Hello,

    Love your site! you can actually make your own for free! look at this site:

    http://www.disneyexperience.com/new_downloads.php

    all you need is a color printer

    ReplyDelete
  4. Major Pepperidge8:42 AM

    Chiana, I'm not kidding! And you are right about the popcorn prices of course.

    Disney Nametags, I've never heard that pirate's name, but perhaps Progressland (of the Disneyland Nomenclature blog) would know it.

    Anon, very cool!

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  5. Jason Schultz10:31 AM

    I believe it is Captain Guy.

    Backstage Disneyland (Winter 1962): Captain Guy at the Pirate Ship enthralls all listeners with this story about Sarah Bernhardt:
    "Sarah Bernhardt had a wooden leg but it didn't stop her from becoming one of the world's greatest dramatic actresses. She became engaged to an English actor, who, when he found out that she had a wooden leg, broke it off. The engagement, that is."

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  6. jedblau1:17 PM

    That soda machine is fantastic.

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  7. Katella Gate1:46 PM

    I knew a pirate with a wooden leg named Smith, but I can't recall the name of his other leg.

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  8. Major Pepperidge2:20 PM

    See? I knew Progressland would know. I wonder if that is one of those stories attributed to Captain Guy, but was in fact completely made up by one of the editors of Backstage Disneyland (in at least one case by a man named Claude Plum)?

    Jedblau, I know, I love the fact that it says "Pirate's Grog". It had both Coke AND Pepsi, as well as orange drink and root beer.

    Katella... groan!

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  9. Nancy4:09 PM

    neato....

    saw a ceramic popcorn box at WDW in the past few years that i wanted, but at about $45 i just settled for a picture... waaah

    love the picture of the pirate and what you got to see on board the ship. there just arent enough photos of the inside of things for the most part...

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  10. Connie Moreno7:33 PM

    Oooooooooooooooh!!! What a great post to see on my first day back from vacation!!!

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  11. TokyoMagic!12:21 AM

    The graphics on both boxes are just too cool. Still loving the "Souvenir Dungeon", Major!

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  12. JG9:53 AM

    I remember that last box very well, and the photo of the Pirate Ship...

    Thanks Major. Too cool.

    JG

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