1920s Prop Money

I knew Prop Movie Money was the go-to site for fake United States currency, but I assumed it was all modern bills.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered they also have a complete selection of cash from the 1920s.  Just the thing for classic-era Mythos and pulp gaming.  At $24.99 for 100 bills it's probably cheaper to buy from them than print your own.

While it's not a huge issue, I don't think their bills are accurately sized.  Up until 1929, the Treasury, National Banks, and Federal Reserve issued "large format" notes measuring 7.37 inches by 3.12 inches.  After that, they used our modern measurements of 6.14 by 2.61 inches. 

I was also surprised to see Prop Movie Money had $2 bills in their 1920s collection.  Turns out they were a thing in 1917 and 1918 before returning for a run in 1928.  After that they wouldn't return until 1953. 

 

 

Phyrexian Mask

Grumbly Art brings us this creeptastic mask inspired by the Phyrexians from Magic: The Gathering.

 

 

Cthulhu Architect Handout Generator

I want to give a ringing endorsement of the Cthulhu Architect Handout site.  It's one of the most practical, high-quality, and user-friendly tools available for game masters looking to up their game.  Best of all, it's absolutely free.

Over 250 templates are available, the vast majority tailored to classic-era scenarios.  The site allows you to generate authentic-looking 1920s documents in minutes, including standbys like telegrams, newspaper clippings, police reports, and handwritten notes.  The interface is easy to use and allows you to customize every bit of text with a variety of typography and layout choices.  You can even add "bloodstains" or coffee rings for that extra touch of wear.  When you're done customizing your document they're easy to export for printing or digital use. 

 

The focus is on period paperwork, but you'll also find a variety of modern templates.  That includes contemporary drivers licenses, computer screens, and CCTV overlays.  Just the thing if you're running a modern-era Mythos game like Delta Green.

 

While the site offers a wealth of functionality for free, the premium "Cultist" option provides more storage space, early access to new templates, and direct export to FoundryVTT.  It's clear that this site was built by someone who loves the hobby. The interface is clean, the updates are frequent, and it's the perfect tool for game masters running a high-touch, handout heavy game.

 

Hand of Glory

The Hand of Glory is a foul bit of black magic that allows thieves to open all doors and travel undetected.  It was first documented in the Petit Albert in the 18th century.

"Take the right or left hand of a felon who is hanging from a gibbet beside a highway; wrap it in part of a funeral pall and so wrapped squeeze it well. Then put it into an earthenware vessel with zimat, nitre, salt and long peppers, the whole well powdered. Leave it in this vessel for a fortnight, then take it out and expose it to full sunlight during the dog-days until it becomes quite dry. If the sun is not strong enough put it in an oven with fern and vervain. Next make a kind of candle from the fat of a gibbeted felon, virgin wax, sesame, and ponie, and use the Hand of Glory as a candlestick to hold this candle when lighted, and then those in every place into which you go with this baneful instrument shall remain motionless."

This particular specimen was acquired by Dan Baines, who is no stranger to these pages. 

 

Dracula Pendant

This nicely done "Dracula Pendant" comes to us from Russian artist Valeriya Belova.  Wonderful craftsmanship.  Click through for a gallery of shots, including a well produced video.

 

 

Vintage Ocean Liner Passage Paperwork

The Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives hosts a fantastic collection of vintage ephemera, much of it aimed at geneological research.  It includes an extensive repository of classic-era ocean liner travel documents that would make ideal handouts for Call of Cthulhu and pulp games in the 1930s.  A passage contract receipt is just about the perfect "show, don't tell" clue for figuring out where someone came from or was planning to travel to.

 

 

Tiki Cthulhu

I normally loathe the whole "tiki Cthulhu" thing, but this... this I like.  The stylized Cthulhu idol comes to us from Tikiheadz, who specializes in carving tiki idols from concrete.  I like how it blends the forms of actual, historic tikis and the traditional Cthulhu depiction.  Most polynesian Mythos takes lean far too much into the kitschy Trader Vic's aesthetic, and I say that as someone who loves the cheesiness of 50s era "South Seas" theming.