December 18, 1962 was an important day. This mid-December day in the early 1960's is of unknown significance to many collectors - its the day the Mold -A-Rama was patented. Depending on where you are from, you may have never hear of Mold-A-Rama. Or, perhaps, you have walked by these magic-makers on family vacations or in your own home town and never investigated.
The Mold-A-Rama produced the coolest (and most affordable) souvenir that a museum, zoo or theme park had to offer. For a dollar or two, a child could watch with their little unbelieving eyes as the matching bookend molds, shaped like the two halves of their favorite animal, came together to be filled with hot wax. In moments, the two sides would separate, revealing the brightly colored sculpture.
It was truly magical. Although as a child I had 15 or 20 of this excellent wax critters, I am not the type of collector that dominates web searches today. There were dolphins and bears, a Space Shuttle, a bust of Abe Lincoln, and more. My favorites, of course, were always the dinosaur figures. Although none of my originals have survived into my adulthood (or, did they, Mom?) I am lucky enough that Chicago still plays host to more than one active Mold-A-Rama machine. A couple weeks ago I spent some time at the Field Museum of Natural History and purchased two of the dinosaurs. They are still only $2 each. I tool home an Apatosaurus and a Triceratops (I also saw a T-Rex, but not the Stegosaurus that is rumored to also exist at the Field). No offense to the Tri for only posting the Apatosaurus, but this green guy reminded me so much of my childhood, I couldn't get over him.
There are several different dinosaur Mold-A-Ramas, and e-bay offers a selection of these figures dating back to the 1964 World's Fair in New York. I will not say that I am not looking into making some vintage Mold-A-Rama purchases. What awesome collectors pieces! Of course, dinosaurs have been toys for ages but wax dinosaurs, complete with the name of the dino and the location of purchase, are a really awesome collectors item that can't be passed up.In addition to being able to purchase wax dinosaurs from 60 years ago online, I have seen a Mold-A-Rama machine, completely restored, for purchase for $14900. I think its worth saving for.
*Note for Chicagoans and visitors to the Chi: The Brookfield Zoo still has 9 Mold-A-Rama machines (the first one was installed in 1966). The Museum of Science and Industry has 4, the Lincoln Park Zoo has 2, the Field Museum has 4.
