The Cthulhu Artifact

CoastConFan did a very nice writeup about the Arkham Sanitarium props. The post includes this picture, showing a nifty Cthulhu (Cthulhoid?) sculpture. What interests me about the piece is that it looks like something that was actually excavated from a dig, and that's a very tough effect to pull off. Cthulhu idols are normally approached as art pieces meant for display, so there's a natural tendency to craft idealized depictions that appeal to modern tastes. That's not a bad thing in the slightest, but this one goes in a different direction, both in finish and design, and I really like the result.

The Big Time

I'm told that being a powerful and influential member of the new media is a gateway to all kinds of free swag. Marketers bombard you with product samples, review copies of every sort, giveaways...it's a never ending stream of freebies.

At least one company has now recognized Propnomicon as a true trendsetter and opinion shaper.

Them: Hello, we're a large internet retailer and we would like to do a giveaway with you. After careful study we've determined your audience would love our products.

Me: Great! What did you have in mind?

Them: We'd like to have a contest, and the prize is awesome- enameled cast iron cookware with a value of $75!

Me: Er...uh...cookware? Don't get me wrong, I love quality cookware, but it's not something the blog really focuses on. To be honest, the subject of cookware hasn't come up once. Have you actually, you know, looked at the blog? How about giving away a copy of the "Arkham Horror" game? It's available through your storefront.

Them: That wouldn't be a good promotional giveaway. Your audience is more interested in high quality cookware.

Sadly, I had to pass on this wonderful promotional opportunity. Heh.


Update: Damn, I just remembered there actually is some Lovecraftian "cookware"- the lead vessels used to hold the essential salts in "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward". I could have mined this for some real comedy gold.

The Radhost Complector

Laura sent in a link to "The Radhost Complector" from artist James Ewing. Put simply, it's one of the very best faux occult devices I've ever seen. It works on so many levels, from the design to the use of authentic materials (oak, copper, brass, and citrine), that I instantly fell in love.

"The pointer of the Complector is a shard of citrine quartz suspended in the middle of three spinning brass rings that revolve to show you where you are, or perhaps warn you that you are on the wrong path. The hand beaten spherical brass map is protected by a segmented layer of oak and then encased in a cage of dressed copper and brass. A small covered portal in the Complector' front can be opened in order to check your heading or you can open the top altogether if you are in fear of getting lost in the ether."

Hyperborean Weapon

Dale Bigford was kind enough to send over some snapshots of a truly remarkable prop- a recreation of the Hyperborean weapon from Mike Mignola's "Witchfinder". This isn't a resin casting. No, it's real wood, leather, sinew, and brass (there being a notable dearth of authentic Hyperborean metal in our world).

I'll let Mr. Bigford take it from here. Just click through on any of the images for a high resolution version.

No one is keeping the H.P. Lovecraft torch lit these days like Mike Mignola. One of his characters is a 19th century occult investigator named Sir Edward Grey. He has a very bizzare/sad future but Mignola hasn't explained that yet.

His first stand alone graphic novel is "WITCHFINDER: In the Service of Angels" In it a creature from Hyperborea origin returns from the dead and goes on a killing spree. Figuring heavily in the story is a Hyperborean sword/club. Mignola explained it as "a broken Hyperborean sword that some caveman turned into a great weapon". Being from the culture that created and oppressed the creature it is the one thing it fears.

It's basically a broken blade secured in a split wooden shaft and tied with hide and sinew strips. I made the blade out of bronze (in the book the blade is distincly yellow) and aged the wood and sinew accordingly. The theory is that even though the blade is thousands of years old the metallurgy is so advanced its sheen does not dim.

Miskatonic Swim Team

The Miskatonic University Varsity swim team, from the 1925 yearbook. And, yes, one of the top swimmers is from Innsmouth. Just click through for the high resolution version.



This is a retouched photo from one of the vintage yearbooks I've been collecting for the Miskatonic University project. It's not quite ready to launch yet, but it's getting close. In addition to the items that have already been discussed I want to include a goodly amount of vintage-style collegiate ephemera in the package.

Seeing the Unseen

Artist "Bone Engine" brings us this this intriguing monocle crafted from wood, leather, copper, and brass.

Miskatonic University Student ID

This is a first pass at putting together a Miskatonic University student ID. Most of the actual work went in to trying to reproduce the look of vintage printing consistently, which came out pretty well. It's not quite where I want it to be yet, but it's a solid start. Just click through for the high resolution versions.