1963 Marvel Amazing Spider-man Halloween Costume & Box Stan Lee Marvelmania
This Halloween set is both the first Spider-Man merchandise ever and the first Silver Age Marvel merchandise ever. Released in late 1963, this costume set pre-dates the 1964 Merry Marvel Marching Society by a full year. It is considered a “Holy Grail” for Marvel collectors. For those seeking more information about this historic and rare collectible, a book The Full-Color Guide to Marvel Silver Age Collectibles and the website “Back to the Past Collectibles” both provide additional information about it. This would be consistent with the unused condition of the costume and the mask and the general outer wear to the box lid and the bottom of the box. Fewer than five of these 1963 Spider-Man costume sets are known to exist, and this may be the one in the nicest condition. The Stan Lee signature took place on 8-11-2017 and a Stan Lee “Certificate of Authenticity” was issued at the time. It is important to note that these certificates were issued with a numbered foil seal, but they did not state the exact item that was authenticated. To remedy this, a separate note was provided at the time by Stan’s handler who wrote the accompanying note that it was for this set, which he identified as a mask. Both the certificate and the note have the same foil authentification number: SLC-27417. Condition of mask: Mask appears unused. There are no interior “breath stains” that are typical of masks that were used. The string is firmly attached with its original vintage hooks. Very slight surface wear to the tip of the nose. This is the original 1963 version of the mask with the “USA” imprint and no pre-printed price on the interior that appeared on the 1964 masks. Condition of costume: Costume also appears unused. Upper front portion is made of plush cotton with no stains or tears or splits. No fading to the color. The blue rayon portion has some wrinkles and creases from being folded and stored in the box for over half a century, but those can easily be pressed out by someone interested in flattening it out for display purposes. The drawstring on the neck is gently knotted and is firmly attached to the costume. Condition of box lid: No splits to the corners. Original cellophane window is still attached to the interior of the lid. There is a small tear on the left side of the cardboard lid between the window that extends to the edge. On the right side of the lid there is a similar small tear also between the edge of the window and the ridge of the lid. On that side of the box lid there is a tear between the “M” and the “E” in the word COSTUME. Various light surface wear and stress lines. Condition of bottom box: No splits to the corners. Slight warping to the cardboard shape. Light scratches / surface abrasions to the bottom. The interior box will be a hard plastic bin to ensure this arrives undamaged.