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 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 ~