Collectible of the Week: Phillies Halloween Mask SGAs
Halloween is here! The Phillies hosted several "Halloween Night at the Vet" promotions during the mid to late 1980s. The result was two classic SGA collectibles - Larry Andersen and Phillie Phanatic Halloween masks:
Larry Andersen Halloween Mask (7/26/85)
Photo via Phillies Phollowers
Often mistaken for a "Mike Schmidt Mask", the Phillies celebrated Halloween by handing out Larry Andersen masks to all children 14 and under on July 26, 1985. LA may seem like an odd choice to headline an Halloween mask SGA, but if you have seen the blooper reels, or are old enough to remember, he was known for appearing in costume from time to time.
Typical for the time, the mask is made of a very thin plastic material which is very flexible, and unfortunately prone to cracking. A thin elastic band is connected to each side of the "face." Dry rot is common problem found with the elastic bands on the masks. The Andersen masks are not that difficult to find on the secondary market, and usually sell for between $10-20 apiece.
Phillie Phanatic Halloween Mask (9/13/87)
Photo via Phillies SGA
The Phillies revisited the Halloween Night promotion in 1987 with a more likely mask subject - The Phillie Phanatic. The resulting SGA has become one of the most sought after oddball items of the past 30 years. It's hard to say why it is so rare - except that the Phils poor standings position September 1987 didn't attract a large crowd that day (attendance was 12,610, a 6-1 loss to the Pirates). In discussions with collectors over the past year or two, it was believed that leftovers were once sold for $1 apiece at The Vet before ultimately being discarded.
The 1987 Phanatic mask is made of the same materials used in the Andersen mask and experience the same condition problems. Because they are difficult to find, they easily approach (and eclipse) the $100 mark when they do appear on the secondary market.