Comments: Softcover, 200 pages, 465 color photos
ISBN: 978-0-7643-5283-6
Price: $29.99
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing
From the publisher: The Aurora empire was once the world’s largest producer of hobby products, and its plastic models of classic Hollywood movie monsters are enduring pop-culture standards. Kids and adults around the world recognize Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolf Man, and the Mummy. Although monsters were Aurora’s most famous products, the company created model kits of all varieties, including historic sailing ships, sports cars, moon rockets, military and commercial aircraft, TV stars, comic-book heroes, wildlife scenes, knights, and much more, all included in this book. Color photographs enhance this comprehensive history and guide to Aurora models. Here, corporation executives, sculptors, artists, and engineers who created Aurora’s models tell the story in their own words. Every model Aurora made is described in detail, with information on reissues and current collectors’ market values. There remains a brisk trade in vintage Aurora plastic, and new companies continue to reissue some of Aurora’s best-loved works.
FSM says: From “A Garage in Brooklyn” (Chapter 1) to “The Legend Continues” (Chapter 9), it’s all here: from archery sets and bag kits of the 1950s to Evel Knievel and Jaws in the mid-’70s, and beyond to modern-day reissues of old favorites. Who knew an original Superboy would one day fetch $200? Especially useful is an illustrated directory indexing kits in chronological order. The author has been the chief contributor in FineScale Modeler’s “Classic Kits” series.