FIDEL CASTRO at Madame Tussaud's

London, England, United Kingdom

"Fidel Castro, the president of Cuba has been immortalized in London. A wax figure of the Cuban leader is now standing among kings and pop stars at Madame Tussaud's.

The ambassador of Cuba unveiled the wax figure to celebrate the president's 73rd birthday. Fidel Castro overlooks the crowds in London. But he's not there to make one of his long speeches. This Castro is made of wax - the latest addition to Madame Tussaud's wax works museum. The wax figure was unveiled by the Cuban ambassador who was there with his wife. The wax figure wears the well known green army fatigues - donated by Fidel Castro himself. The fatigues and boots were brought to London by the sculptor, Steve Swales. Swales visited Havana last year to take the hundreds of measurements needed for the wax copy of the old revolutionary. As for the real Castro, he was reported to have welcomed his wax incarnation, saying, "It has been for me a great honour, much more than I deserve." After six months of sculpting the wax Fidel Castro is expected to be seen by some 2.6 (m) million tourists who visit the famed wax museum every year. The wax likeness took six months to complete and cost around 30,000 U-S dollars. Madame Tussaud's said that Castro was chosen after recent media coverage and his long presidency. The wax museum says that most national leaders were included among the wax figures to appeal to the numbers of tourists who visit the museum."

* from AP ARCHIVE 08/13/1999 *

Big fan of wax museum's? There's no need to have a "CRISIS"! Though this wax figure of Fidel was originally unveiled in London he now has joined US President and First Lady John & Jacqueline Kennedy at Madame Tussauds Washington DC! Just tell them WAXIPEDIA sent you!

Or if you want more daily fun and excitement join WAXIPEDIA's always exciting FACEBOOK GROUP!

Dedicated to preserving the history of Wax Arts, and the unique stories of all those involved in its development, WAXIPEDIA strives to be the number one source of information on the subject of Wax Museums and their role in the attractions and entertainment industries. Through the sharing of photographs, brochures, movies and stories we hope to enlighten, engage and entertain all who discover us. 

As a resource, the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES was established in 2014 as a repository for physical examples and information pertaining to these educational goals. Consisting of thousands of items (ranging from century-and-a-half year old guidebooks to life-sized wax figures) the ARCHIVES are the backbone of WAXIPEDIA's mission and we hope to inspire future generations of artists, designers, historians and fans.

Anyone interested in donating items to the ARCHIVES is encouraged to reach out to me directly at timothywrandall@gmail.com

~ Thank You ~

THE FOUR EYED MAN

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum

St. Augustine, Florida

(click the pictures for full-sized High Definition images)

Liu Ch'ung, or Liu Min, as he was sometimes known, was born with double pupils in each eye. This strange feature did not in the least deter this active man who loved wine and gambling.

He became Governor of Shansi, Minister of State and through intrigue with the Dowager Empress had his son proclaimed heir apparent.

This wax figure, shown in St. Augustine, was created by acclaimed artist and doll maker Lewis Sorensen for the original Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum with copies being shown in Niagara Falls, Chicago, San Francisco, Estes Park and Blackpool.

The photograph was taken by Gene Aikens and is shared from a postcard from the late 1960's. 

You don't have to have four eyes to see how cool a visit to a vintage wax museum must have been? Though this wax figure of Liu Ch'ung has been replaced with a more modern interpretation, a visit to RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT! ST. AUGUSTINE is definitely still a great choice! Just tell them WAXIPEDIA sent you!

Or if you want more daily fun and excitement join WAXIPEDIA's always exciting FACEBOOK GROUP!

Dedicated to preserving the history of Wax Arts, and the unique stories of all those involved in its development, WAXIPEDIA strives to be the number one source of information on the subject of Wax Museums and their role in the attractions and entertainment industries. Through the sharing of photographs, brochures, movies and stories we hope to enlighten, engage and entertain all who discover us. 

As a resource, the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES was established in 2014 as a repository for physical examples and information pertaining to these educational goals. Consisting of thousands of items (ranging from century-and-a-half year old guidebooks to life-sized wax figures) the ARCHIVES are the backbone of WAXIPEDIA's mission and we hope to inspire future generations of artists, designers, historians and fans.

Anyone interested in donating items to the ARCHIVES is encouraged to reach out to me directly at timothywrandall@gmail.com

~ Thank You ~

WALTER'S INTERNATIONAL 

WAX MUSEUM

~ 1964/ 1965 New York World's Fair ~

From the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES comes this dedication guide for the WALTER'S INTERNATIONAL WAX MUSEUM that ran at the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair. 

Established by brother Lou and Manny Walter, the exhibition expanded upon the hugely successful PARIS SPECTACULAR WAX MUSEUM the pair showed at Seattle, Washington's Century 21 Exposition in 1962. Following this dedication on October 1, 1963, the brother's would commission famed American wax sculptress Katherine Stubergh (who ironically created a competing wax museum during the Seattle Fair) to sculpt dozens of wax figures to add during the museum's two years in New York. John F. Kennedy, Frankenstein, Frank Sinatra and Jesus were but a few that would join the original display's created by Pierre Iman's of Paris, France (which can be seen in the photographs of this book). Walter's International Wax Museum would end up being one of the most popular pavilions at the Fair and the display would later be moved to Anaheim, California. 

(click the pictures for full-sized High Definition images)

  

Enjoy this fair trip through time? Though the New York World's Fair might have ended decades ago you can still explore and relive some of it's highlights at the amazing NYWF64.COM! Just tell them WAXIPEDIA sent you!

 Or if you want more daily fun and excitement join WAXIPEDIA's always exciting FACEBOOK GROUP!

Dedicated to preserving the history of Wax Arts, and the unique stories of all those involved in its development, WAXIPEDIA strives to be the number one source of information on the subject of Wax Museums and their role in the attractions and entertainment industries. Through the sharing of photographs, brochures, movies and stories we hope to enlighten, engage and entertain all who discover us. 

As a resource, the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES was established in 2014 as a repository for physical examples and information pertaining to these educational goals. Consisting of thousands of items (ranging from century-and-a-half year old guidebooks to life-sized wax figures) the ARCHIVES are the backbone of WAXIPEDIA's mission and we hope to inspire future generations of artists, designers, historians and fans.

Anyone interested in donating items to the ARCHIVES is encouraged to reach out to me directly at timothywrandall@gmail.com

~ Thank You ~

THE CHAMBER OF HORRORS

~ Madame Tussaud's London ~

For centuries a visit to Madame Tussaud's famed waxwork Exhibition meant an opportunity to experience the grandeur of Kings, Queens, Heroes, Statesmen and the Famous. It also allowed a chance to decent into the darkest world of the infamous in the CHAMBER OF HORRORS. Here, since it's first incarnation documented in 1802, could be found instruments of torture, rogues and murders who caught the headlines of their days and haunted our dreams. Founder Madame Marie Tussaud, very early in her life and career, was tasked with the grisly obligation of making death masks of decapitated aristocracy during the French Revolution. After the Guillotines stopped falling Marie, in an attempt to increase public traffic through her waxworks exhibition, opened the "Separate Room" - for an added price.

Sadly, the CHAMBER OF HORRORS was removed and replaced in April 2016 with an interactive game based off of Sherlock Holmes. Luckily, we have this postcard set, once available in the London Wax Exhibitions Gift Shop, here to share and remember part of it by. 

(click the pictures for full-sized High Definition images)

(An alley in Victorian London where the infamous Jack the Ripper has struck again)

(The Bell from Newgate Goal Prison)

(Real Historic Instruments of Torture)

(Dr. Crippen and Ethel Le Neve, an American Doctor and his English Mistress who both were convicted of the murder and mutilation of his wife and noted as the first suspects to be captured with the aid of wireless telegraphy)

(Bruno Hauptman - convicted killer of Charles Lindbergh's baby, as he prepares for his execution by electric chair)

(George Joseph Smith, the "Brides in the Bath" murderer)

(The Garrote)

(The heads of French Queen Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI - with the blade that ended them)

(The Guillotine: Preferred instrument of justice during the French Revolution)

(Few during the French Revolution were more feared than that of Robespierre until he, much like the thousands he sent before him, too felt the slice of the Guillotine's blade. 

Enjoy this trip through time and terror? Even though the CHAMBER OF HORRORS might be gone why not visit the current MADAME TUSSAUDS LONDON? Just tell them WAXIPEDIA sent you!

 Or if you want more daily fun and excitement join WAXIPEDIA's always exciting FACEBOOK GROUP!

Dedicated to preserving the history of Wax Arts, and the unique stories of all those involved in its development, WAXIPEDIA strives to be the number one source of information on the subject of Wax Museums and their role in the attractions and entertainment industries. Through the sharing of photographs, brochures, movies and stories we hope to enlighten, engage and entertain all who discover us. 

As a resource, the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES was established in 2014 as a repository for physical examples and information pertaining to these educational goals. Consisting of thousands of items (ranging from century-and-a-half year old guidebooks to life-sized wax figures) the ARCHIVES are the backbone of WAXIPEDIA's mission and we hope to inspire future generations of artists, designers, historians and fans.

Anyone interested in donating items to the ARCHIVES is encouraged to reach out to me directly at timothywrandall@gmail.com

~ Thank You ~

SCARLETT JOHANSSON @ MADAME TUSSAUDS NEW YORK

~ New York, New York ~

Madame Tussauds New York unveils Scarlett Johansson wax figure at Madame Tussauds on July 30, 2015 in New York City. (FameFlynet, Inc - Beverly Hills, CA, USA)

(click the picture for full-sized High Definition images

Enjoy this trip to the BIG APPLE and to the heart of Time Square? Why not visit the current MADAME TUSSAUDS NEW YORK? Just tell them WAXIPEDIA sent you!

 Or if you want more daily fun and excitement join WAXIPEDIA's always exciting FACEBOOK GROUP!

Dedicated to preserving the history of Wax Arts, and the unique stories of all those involved in its development, WAXIPEDIA strives to be the number one source of information on the subject of Wax Museums and their role in the attractions and entertainment industries. Through the sharing of photographs, brochures, movies and stories we hope to enlighten, engage and entertain all who discover us. 

As a resource, the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES was established in 2014 as a repository for physical examples and information pertaining to these educational goals. Consisting of thousands of items (ranging from century-and-a-half year old guidebooks to life-sized wax figures) the ARCHIVES are the backbone of WAXIPEDIA's mission and we hope to inspire future generations of artists, designers, historians and fans.

Anyone interested in donating items to the ARCHIVES is encouraged to reach out to me directly at timothywrandall@gmail.com

~ Thank You ~

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGENDS

~ Madame Tussauds Hollywood ~

Madame Tussauds Hollywood welcomes country music legends Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams Sr. at Madame Tussauds on March 23, 2016 in Hollywood, California.

Enjoy this little country trip through time and down memory lane? Hank, Patsy and Johnny might not be in Tinseltown anymore but why not visit them at MADAME TUSSAUDS NASHVILLE? Just tell them WAXIPEDIA sent you!

 Or if you want more daily fun and excitement join WAXIPEDIA's always exciting FACEBOOK GROUP!

Dedicated to preserving the history of Wax Arts, and the unique stories of all those involved in its development, WAXIPEDIA strives to be the number one source of information on the subject of Wax Museums and their role in the attractions and entertainment industries. Through the sharing of photographs, brochures, movies and stories we hope to enlighten, engage and entertain all who discover us. 

As a resource, the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES was established in 2014 as a repository for physical examples and information pertaining to these educational goals. Consisting of thousands of items (ranging from century-and-a-half year old guidebooks to life-sized wax figures) the ARCHIVES are the backbone of WAXIPEDIA's mission and we hope to inspire future generations of artists, designers, historians and fans.

Anyone interested in donating items to the ARCHIVES is encouraged to reach out to me directly at timothywrandall@gmail.com

~ Thank You ~

THE HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN 

WAX MUSEUM

~ Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada ~

For decades there has been a spooktacularly frightful wax museum located on Niagara Falls, Ontario's famous Clifton Hill - "Niagara's Street of Fun".

THE HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN WAX MUSEUM is one of two that were created, with the other being located in Lake George, New York (which also is still open to this day - though under much different management).

Designed to be a combination of wax museum and haunted house, the Niagara Falls location has definitely embraced the "haunt" aspect in recent years - though it is certainly still worth a visit!

Here for your enjoyment is a vintage brochure (with a cut out mask) from THE HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN WAX MUSEUM, courtesy of the personal collection of Timothy Randall.

(click the pictures for full-sized High Definition images)

Enjoy this trip through time and down the haunted corridors of memory lane? Finding yourself in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada? Why not visit the current THE HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN? Just tell them WAXIPEDIA sent you!

 Or if you want more fun and excitement join WAXIPEDIA's always exciting FACEBOOK GROUP!

Dedicated to preserving the history of Wax Arts, and the unique stories of all those involved in its development, WAXIPEDIA strives to be the number one source of information on the subject of Wax Museums and their role in the attractions and entertainment industries. Through the sharing of photographs, brochures, movies and stories we hope to enlighten, engage and entertain all who discover us. 

As a resource, the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES was established in 2014 as a repository for physical examples and information pertaining to these educational goals. Consisting of thousands of items (ranging from century-and-a-half year old guidebooks to life-sized wax figures) the ARCHIVES are the backbone of WAXIPEDIA's mission and we hope to inspire future generations of artists, designers, historians and fans.

Anyone interested in donating items to the ARCHIVES is encouraged to reach out to me directly at timothywrandall@gmail.com

~ Thank You ~

WHOOPI & WAXIPEDIA

~ Orlando, Florida ~

  WAXIPEDIA has a goal, that in concept seems simple, and that is to tell the amazing stories behind the wax arts. To meet that lofty goal the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES was established as a resource of information and artifacts. From brochures, postcards and guidebooks to banners, photographs and films the collection now numbers into the thousands. 

  What is WAXIPEDIA without wax figures? Well, truth be told, this has always kind of been a one man show and I'm not some super rich millionaire (I work some pretty basic jobs to keep the bills played and the lights on). The upside is that I'm humble and have been very happy to cherish so many of the wonderful things which I am the caretaker of. The downside is that I can't purchase every wax figure that presents itself. 

 BUT that does not mean that I haven't been blessed with the opportunity to purchase some amazing works of art for my collection. One of the best happens to be a life-size wax figure of one of my favorite actresses; Whoopi Goldberg.

Originally created by sculptress Sonya Vasquez, the piece was commissioned by a private collector who wanted his own wax museum in his home. He eventually got his wish, but after years of living his dream he came to a point where he felt the time was right for his celebrity friends to move onto other pastures. 

When I found out about the figures availability he and I agreed on a price and I drove to South Florida to pick it up. 

SIDE NOTE: If you've never had to drive with wax figures in your car PLEASE KNOW people will stare at you with judgement! (One day if you all are nice, I'll tell you how I was stopped by police because of a wax figure!)

And now, repainted and redressed as Sister Mary Clarence, from the blockbuster film Sister Act, this beautiful wax figure is a vital part of the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES and has made special appearances at various museums, heritage centers, festivals and film premieres. 

Here for your enjoyment are a few photographs of the vintage wax figure of Whoopi Goldberg created by artists Sonya Vasquez, courtesy of the personal collection of Timothy Randall.

(click the pictures for full-sized High Definition images)

 

Do you like wax figures, wax museums and the like? Would you enjoy it if you had more waxy daily fun and excitement? Well, why not join WAXIPEDIA's always exciting FACEBOOK GROUP!

Dedicated to preserving the history of Wax Arts, and the unique stories of all those involved in its development, WAXIPEDIA strives to be the number one source of information on the subject of Wax Museums and their role in the attractions and entertainment industries. Through the sharing of photographs, brochures, movies and stories we hope to enlighten, engage and entertain all who discover us. 

As a resource, the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES was established in 2014 as a repository for physical examples and information pertaining to these educational goals. Consisting of thousands of items (ranging from century-and-a-half year old guidebooks to life-sized wax figures) the ARCHIVES are the backbone of WAXIPEDIA's mission and we hope to inspire future generations of artists, designers, historians and fans.

Anyone interested in donating items to the ARCHIVES is encouraged to reach out to me directly at timothywrandall@gmail.com

~ Thank You ~

LOST: LOUIS ARMSTRONG'S TRUMPET

HOLLYWOOD WAX MUSEUM 

~ Hollywood, California ~

Something seems to be missing! The wax figure of Louis Armstrong stands without his familiar trademarked trumpet at Hollywood Wax Museum. This photo appeared in the September 14, 1972 edition of the Los Angeles Times.

Here for your enjoyment is a vintage postcard of Louis Armstrong from the Hollywood Wax Museum, courtesy of the personal collection of Timothy Randall.

(click the pictures for full-sized High Definition images)

           

Enjoy this trip through time and down memory lane? Well Louis Armstrong isn't on display anymore but many of his famous friends still are! Why don't you head on over to the original HOLLYWOOD WAX MUSEUM? Just tell them WAXIPEDIA sent you!

 Or if you want more daily fun and excitement join WAXIPEDIA's always exciting FACEBOOK GROUP!

Dedicated to preserving the history of Wax Arts, and the unique stories of all those involved in its development, WAXIPEDIA strives to be the number one source of information on the subject of Wax Museums and their role in the attractions and entertainment industries. Through the sharing of photographs, brochures, movies and stories we hope to enlighten, engage and entertain all who discover us. 

As a resource, the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES was established in 2014 as a repository for physical examples and information pertaining to these educational goals. Consisting of thousands of items (ranging from century-and-a-half year old guidebooks to life-sized wax figures) the ARCHIVES are the backbone of WAXIPEDIA's mission. Anyone interested in supporting these efforts through donating are encouraged to visit patreon.com/WAXIPEDIA and contact us at waxipediaofficial@gmail.com. Items donated will be digitally scanned, photographed and eventually restored to be credited to their specific donors and made available to future generations of artists, designers, historians and fans. 

~ Thank You ~

MADAME TUSSAUD'S AMSTERDAM

The Kalverstraat: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Opening on September 25, 1970 the Madame Tussaud's in Amsterdam was only the second incarnation of the famed waxworks exhibition to open to the public (the first being the original in London that dates back to 1835).

Originally located in the heart of the Kalverstraat - the cities busy shopping and entertainment street - this version was filled with an exciting combination of locals luminaries and those of international fame and acclaim set in exciting and unique displays. 

              

The Museum was immensely popular, be it so much so that it required moving to a much larger location. So, in 1990 the attraction moved to its present site, found centrally located in Amsterdam's Dam Square, where it entertains hundreds-of-thousands of visitors annually. 

Here for your enjoyment is shared a vintage, english translation Guidebook for that particular exhibition courtesy of the personal collection of Timothy Randall.

(click the pictures for full-sized High Definition images)

Enjoy this trip through time? Why not visit the current MADAME TUSSAUDS AMSTERDAM? Just tell them WAXIPEDIA sent you!

 Or if you want more daily fun and excitement join WAXIPEDIA's always exciting FACEBOOK GROUP!

Dedicated to preserving the history of Wax Arts, and the unique stories of all those involved in its development, WAXIPEDIA strives to be the number one source of information on the subject of Wax Museums and their role in the attractions and entertainment industries. Through the sharing of photographs, brochures, movies and stories we hope to enlighten, engage and entertain all who discover us. 

As a resource, the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES was established in 2014 as a repository for physical examples and information pertaining to these educational goals. Consisting of thousands of items (ranging from century-and-a-half year old guidebooks to life-sized wax figures) the ARCHIVES are the backbone of WAXIPEDIA's mission. Anyone interested in supporting these efforts through donating are encouraged to visit patreon.com/WAXIPEDIA and contact us at waxipediaofficial@gmail.com. Items donated will be digitally scanned, photographed and eventually restored to be credited to their specific donors and made available to future generations of artists, designers, historians and fans. 

~ Thank You ~