Spates Catalog of Nameless Horrors

"T. Watson Spates published an annual periodical, starting in early 1901. It was billed as a compendium of nameless horrors and sensationalized the occult. Spates often chose the most fantastic lore he could find. It found popularity with both students of the occult and those who simply loved reading fiction. It was said to be a favorite of Harry Houdini and H.P. Lovecraft. The periodicals were collected into a compilation titled "Spates Catalog". Spates ended the periodical in 1935 and retired a wealthy man."

That description of "Spates Catalog of Nameless Horrors" comes from the Ghostbuster's Wiki.  The book itself was only mentioned in passing in the original movie, but had significantly more backstory added in the IDW Ghostbusters comics.  Now the legendary Mignoli Props has produced a reproduction version, and it's pretty incredible.  The prop runs to 350 pages and is filled with dozens of articles, mixing real-world history, haunted locations, supernatural events, and quite a few easter eggs based on other media properties.  Ghostbusters News has a nice, in-depth look that will make it an instant buy for many.

Troll Witch

"The Troll Witch was inspired by the fantastic Brian Froud’s front cover illustration from the book ‘Trolls’ by Brian and Wendy Froud. We created her with the blessing and guidance of the Froud’s and she stands as a homage to Brian’s work.  Photo taken in Brian & Wendy’s garden, where the Troll Witch feels very much at home."

I don't think I've ever seen a better recreation of Froud's aesthetic than this figure from Elfenwild.  He was a huge influence on those of us that grew up back in the 70s and 80s.  To this day his design work for the Dark Crystal defines my mental image of what magic circles should look like.

 

Great Cthulhu

I adore this wonderful crocheted Cthulhu from The Yarning Portal.  What makes it particularly notable is that H.P. Lovecraft himself was an avid knitter.  In "A Means to Freedom: The Letters of H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard" there's a long series of letters describing their mutual love of yarn creations.  Sadly, the crocheted versions of Conan and Cthulhu they mention have never been found.

 

Great Cthulhu

This fantastic Cthulhu bust comes to us from Duncan Shadow.  Click through to the full size image and you can get a real appreciation for the phenomenal texture work. 

 

Curse of Strahd Props

Wolfspirit4W brings us this collection of physical props and ephemera for their run of the "Curse of Strahd" campaign for Dungeons and Dragons.  There are few things more effective than running a high-touch version of an already epic adventure series.  If you're planning something similar, the one suggestion I would make is producing enough copies of every paper prop that each player can have their own.  That allows them to do a running journal of the adventure with tons of inserts, akin to the grail diary from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  That would be an amazing keepsake.

 

 

Nyarlathotep

This fantastic digital sculpt of Nyarlathotep comes to us from artist Alex Carratala.  Click through for a full gallery and 360 degree view.  It was directly inspired by Nyarlathotep's sonnet in Lovecraft's "The Fungi from Yuggoth". 

 

 

Infected Fae

This delightfully icky fungally infected fairy specimen comes to us from the talented Umbrateca.  The powdery, threadlike hyphae are a fantastic detail.