A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO FUN WORLD STAMPED 'WEEPING' GHOST MASKS
The popularity of the iconic 'Weeping' ghost has motivated collectors over the years to distinguish different mask types. This is particularly challenging among the early "Fun World Div" stamped masks because they come from the same sculpt, making their differences intricate and subtle. We hope this guide can help collectors identify their masks to make informed purchases.
Some sculptural markings found on all four early mask types demonstrating their familial relationship.
Early Fun World Div stamped masks (Gen 1, Splotch, HN, Gen 2) derive from the same mother sculpt, confirmed by matching surface details seen across all four types. While all four are classic vintage masks, collectors prioritize them on history, relevance to Scream, shape, era, and quality. Each is considered highly collectible, though value does vary. Our guide will illustrate some ways to identify your mask by exclusively looking at the #9206 - Glow-in-Dark Mask with Shroud.
GEN 1
"Gen 1" masks are considered the grail of Scream & Fun World collecting for their use in Scream (1996) and superior quality. Their rarity, competition, and franchise significance give them high value. They were the primary masks manufactured during the debut of the 'Weeping' ghost in 1992. There are markings we use to identify Gen 1s that are easy to recognize using unique mouth markings (Multi-Dot, Second Dimple, Small Dot) found on their production molds. A Gen 1 mask will always have one of these defects, not multiple or all.
MULTI-DOT
SECOND DIMPLE
SMALL DOT
A Gen 1 mask will feature one of these mouth defects (not multiple or all).
The mouth markers are only used to identify that a mask is a Gen 1, not separate types. Qualities that may give masks more unique appearances can be from production (i.e. unique jawline shape from sewing the shroud) or era (i.e. vinyl thickness and paint stencils).
Example of three nearly identical Gen 1s with each mouth defect.
There are other markings you can use to identify Gen 1s, like raised tick marks (opposed to indented) and a specific circular abrasion not found on other Fun World Div stamped mask types.
Raised "tick marks" on temples and forehead of Gen 1.
Circular abrasion pattern on the left side of the mouth on each mold.
Gen 1s went through production differences over the years such as vinyl thickness, paint stencils, and shroud material. For this reason "Gen 1" does not refer to an era (as "generation 1" may sound) but a name for this particular batch of primary molds. The styles we've distinguished are Early 90s, Mid-90s, 97, and Poly Shroud.
EARLY 90S
Early 90s Gen 1s have thick firm vinyl with large nose and eye paint and cotton shrouds.
MID-90S
In the Mid-90s, production quality changed to have notably tighter stencils with smaller nose, eye, and mouth paint and softer flexible vinyl. Some masks from this era are particularly translucent floppy vinyl that display warped foreheads and shadowy eyes from the mesh showing through. That quality is nicknamed "Scream Style", for their similar quality seen in Scream (1996).
97
In 1997, 'Weeping' ghost masks had distinguishable heart-shaped nose stencils and exceptionally thin eyeliner.
POLY
Gen 1 molds saw their final use with polyester shrouds, vanilla scent, and purple 'bat & moon' themed Fearsome Faces header cards. We believe the transition to polyester occurred in late 1997, tho we do not know what year Gen 1 polys ceased production.
Cotton shroud #9206 masks were packaged with a pink 'party orb' style header tag labeled Fantastic Faces. They were offered from 1992 - 1997.
Polyester shroud #9206 masks were packaged with a purple 'bat & moon' style header tag labeled Fearsome Faces.
*Gen 1 masks have been found as #9206 Glow-in-Dark Ghost Mask with Shroud (white, cotton, poly), #9207 Fluorescent Ghost Mask with Shroud (cotton), #9223 All-in-One Ghost Mask & Gown, #9219 Instant Disguise, #8919 Droop Collar Mask, and #9974 Scream Stalker costume masks with bib.
SPLOTCH
"Splotch" masks are a secondary factory variant named for their splat-like abrasions across the mouth and face. While they somewhat resemble Gen 1s more than other factory variants (like HNs or Gen 2s) a trained eye can recognize them for their unique appearance. Here are some qualities that differentiate them:
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Matte black paint
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Flatter broad faces
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Bloated cheeks
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Indented tick marks
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Closer carved perimeter line (thus, closer sewn and narrower looking jaws)
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Additional and missing markings from Gen 1
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Not found on all product variants
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We have identified a Splotch mask used in a small capacity in Scream (1996), though Gen 1s are the primary film mask type.
The "Splotch" mouth defect.
Additional "splotch" abrasions on the mask's face, cheeks, and temples indicate it was likely a effect of the molding process.
Indented tick marks on Splotch (instead of raised Gen 1 marks).
Examples of Splotch masks varying in quality and shape.
Splotch masks experienced a similar (but different) Early 90s, Mid-90s, and 97 trajectory, and have not been found with a polyester shroud, leading us to believe they ceased production in 1997.
EARLY 90S
Early 90s Splotch masks have large nose and eye paint and cotton shrouds. Unlike Gen 1s, they are sometimes very thin and floppy.
MID 90S
In the Mid-90s, production quality changed to have notably tighter stencils with smaller nose, eye, and mouth paint. Some Mid-90s Splotch masks actually have thicker vinyl than their Early 90s counterparts. While mid-90s Splotches seem particularly uncommon, some masks have surfaced with the "Scream Style" features described in the previous chapter.
97
In 1997, 'Weeping' ghost masks had distinguishable heart-shaped nose stencils and exceptionally thin eyeliner. Splotch masks have not been found with polyester shrouds.
Splotch masks have only been found with cotton shrouds and pink 'party orb' style header tags labeled Fantastic Faces. They were offered from 1992 - 1997.
*Splotch masks have been found as #9206 Glow-in-Dark Ghost Mask with Shroud (white and black cotton), and #9207 Fluorescent Ghost Mask with Shroud (cotton).
HN
"HN" masks are a tertiary factory variant with uniquely rectangular eye mesh and more skeletal nose paint. While they are not featured in any Scream film, they're reasonably collectible for their vintage quality. Though they derive from the original sculpt, they have a unique look from how the master may have been stuffed and mounted when molding. They are easily identified by a small raised H or carved HN letters under the chin. The letters signify the particular factory, as do other lettered stamps (such as MK, T, N, and TD) on later masks. They have only been found as black and white cotton shroud masks. We can currently date them as early as 1995.
Example of masks with "HN" letters.
Rectangular eye mesh on HNs.
Example of mask with raised "H" and no HN.
"HN" seen on barcode of a raised H mask.
All HN masks have the raised "H" near the neckline. However, only some masks have the carved "HN" letters and are usually found above the Fun World Div stamp near the tip of the chin. Here are examples of other HN factory ghost masks:
Examples of other HN ghost masks with the raised "H".
HN masks have only been found as #9206 cotton shroud masks with pink 'party orb' style header tags labeled Fantastic Faces.
*HN masks have been found as #9206 Glow-in-Dark Ghost Mask with Shroud (white and black cotton).
GEN 2
"Gen 2" masks are another popular mask type and were used in Scream 2 (1997). Gen 2 is not a "second generation" of molds, but a nickname given by fans during a time early masks were incorrectly seen as a binary. They have heart shaped nose paint and appear somewhat long faced with pushed out nose bridges, squared jaws, and larger eyes. Like HNs, the bloating is likely a result of how the master was mounted during the molding process. As former Fun World designer Brigitte Sleiertin-Linden tells us "when the company increased production to meet demand after the mask got popular, they had multiple factories making the same item". The earliest we may be able to date Gen 2s is currently 1996. Gen 2s for all of the ghost characters became the primary production for the #9206 and #9207 assortments in 1997 on.
UPPER DIMPLE
CHEEK POCKS
TEXTURED MOUTH
DOT
A Gen 2 mask may feature one of these defects (not multiple or all).
Though we've recognized a few markings to identify Gen 2 masks, there seem to be many more additional production molds, which makes sense considering the rising popularity the Scream brought the design.
MID-90S
The earliest we can currently date Gen 2s may be 1996. Mid-90s are less common and feature larger paint stencils than their 97 counterparts.
97
In 1997, Gen 2 masks featured distinctly thin eyeliner and feature recognizable heart-shaped nose. Masks nicknamed "Scream 2-style" are 97 masks with characteristics similar to those from Scream 2 (1997), such as wider cut jaws that expose the perimeter line.
POLY
Gen 2 molds saw their final use with polyester shrouds and vanilla scent. We believe the transition to polyester occurred in late 1997.
Cotton shroud Gen 2 masks were packaged with a pink 'party orb' style header tag labeled Fantastic Faces.
Polyester shroud Gen 2s were packaged with three different header cards including Fearsome Faces, purple ASIS (As Seen in Scream), and black ASIS.
Example of exposed perimeter lines on "Scream 2 style" masks. The perimeter line is present on all mask types but are usually covered by the shroud. We believe this line was used as a guide to cut out a raw casting.
On Gen 2s, visible remnants of the previous perimeter line are covered and moved about a half inch.
Gen 2 molds were made to increase production of all Fun World's ghost characters in the #9206 assortment. They also exhibit a similar long face and stuffed look with deeper jawlines.
Wide jaw on a Gen 2 'Happy' ghost with exposed perimeter lines.
*Gen 2 masks have been found as #9206 Glow-in-Dark Ghost Mask with Shroud (cotton, poly), #9207 Fluorescent Ghost Mask with Shroud (cotton, poly), #9223 All-in-One Ghost Mask & Gown, #9219 Instant Disguise, #8919 Droop Collar Mask, and #9974 Scream Stalker costume masks with bib.
ODDBALLS
ODDBALL 1
ODDBALL 2
"Oddballs" are late 90s poly shroud masks that do not derive from the original sculpt. They get their name (not only for their odd faces) but because late 90s masks are always stamped with the parent company "Easter Unlimited Inc". It's peculiar that these sculpts ended up with a Fun World Div stamp and share no relation with the four early mask types covered in our guide. They are not featured in a Scream film and are significantly less sought after.
Oddball masks featured a purple 'bat & moon' style header tag with Scream branding (nicknamed "ASIS" for As Seen in Scream).
*Oddball masks have been found as #S9206 Glow-in-Dark Scream Masks with Shroud.