Science Fiction - 1900s - 1930s
American mass media was just starting to emerge as a cultural force during the first three decades of the 20th Century. Starting with motion pictures and then expanding into radio, American mass entertainment allowed people throughout the United States -- and eventually the world -- to enjoy the same actors in the same stories at virtually the same time. It was a communal experience unlike anything that had ever been seen before.
Modern science-fiction was born during this exciting era via pulp magazines like Amazing Stories and Saturday matinee serials like Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers (both of which starred Olympic swimming champion Buster Crabbe). Although this period yielded some gloriously imaginative vehicle designs, no injection-molded model manufacturer has ever deigned to kit one in polystyrene. Instead, the field has been left to a handful of small "garage kit" companies that specialize in "nostalgic" resin models. A few samples of such models have found their way into this collection.
Modern science-fiction was born during this exciting era via pulp magazines like Amazing Stories and Saturday matinee serials like Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers (both of which starred Olympic swimming champion Buster Crabbe). Although this period yielded some gloriously imaginative vehicle designs, no injection-molded model manufacturer has ever deigned to kit one in polystyrene. Instead, the field has been left to a handful of small "garage kit" companies that specialize in "nostalgic" resin models. A few samples of such models have found their way into this collection.
COLUMBIA FROM "LA VOYAGE DANS LA LUNE"
(1902) Herb Deeks Models 1:32 |
ROCKETSHIP FRIEDE FROM "FRAU IM MOND"
(1929) Fantastic Plastic Models 1:288 |
DR. ZARKOV'S ROCKET SHIP FROM "FLASH GORDON"
(1936) Herb Deeks Models 1:48 |
MING BOMBER FROM "FLASH GORDON" (1936)
Fantastic Plastic Models 1:72 |
THE SPIDER'S WING FROM "DICK TRACY"
(1937) Herb Deeks Models 1:144 |
WELTRAUMSCHIFF 1
FROM "SPACESHIP 1 LAUNCHES" (1937) Fantastic Plastic 1:288 |
STRATO-SLED FROM "FLASH GORDON'S TRIP TO MARS" (1938)
Herb Deeks Models 1:144 |
FLASH GORDON'S ROCKETSHIP FROM "FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE"
(1939) Fantastic Plastic 1:72 |