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Legendary makeup effects artist Dick Smith's extraordinarily rare personal archive of photography used in the creation of his classic publication, the Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-Up Handbook. In 1965, Smith published the Handbook as a special edition of Forrest J. Ackerman's "Famous Monsters of Filmland" series.
The publication was revolutionary in a time when artists and unions purposefully suppressed knowledge of special effects makeup, and helped to inspired a new generation of makeup artists, including such highly-regarded luminaries as Rick Baker, Tom Savini, Kazuhiro Tsuji, and Howard Berger, among many others. The 1965 magazine was later re-published in book form in 1985/86, 1990, and 2003, helping to further educate makeup artists decades after its original printing.
This treasure trove of photographs, contact sheets, negatives, early paste-ups, and images of unused makeups offers a never-before-seen, deeply personal look inside the making of this hugely influential publication. It originates from the collection of Smith.
The archive consists of:
82 4" x 5" (10.25 cm x 12.75 cm) photos.
54 2.5" x 2.5" (6.5 cm x 6.5 cm) photos.
Five 8" x 10" (20.5 cm x 25 cm) photos.
67 contact sheets of makeup handbook photos.
21 cut contact sheets.
33 pages of makeup process paste-ups.
Nine pages of werewolf makeup process instructions.
A werewolf makeup process sheet negative.
A storage folder with crossed-out writing in graphite.
Three envelopes, including two labeled "Manuscript Illustrations" with handwritten annotations throughout and a third labeled "David as Werewolf 1965," referring to Smith's son, filmmaker David Smith, who appeared throughout the handbook.
A box hand-labeled "Makeup Handbook Photos."
Two cellophane envelopes hand-marked "Chapter 3" on the front for "Ghoul #1," "Martian #1," "14-17," and "28-32" respectively.
Also included are two copies of the original 1965 version of the Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-Up Handbook. The lot shows evidence of wear throughout consistent with handling and age. Dimensions: (largest) 11" x 9" (28 cm x 23 cm)
Estimate: $1,200 - 2,400
View all lots from DICK SMITH
View all lots from Dick Smith Collection
Regarded as "The Godfather of Makeup," renowned special makeup effects artist and author Richard Emerson Smith, known professionally as Dick Smith, was a pre-med student at Yale University when he encountered the theatrical makeup book Paint, Powder and Makeup that changed the trajectory of his life. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Smith began his illustrious career in television as the first makeup director of WNBC. Entirely self-taught, Smith pioneered the development of prosthetic and practical makeup with techniques that are now considered the standard in film and television, such as making prosthetics in multiple pieces to allow actors full range of facial expression. He is also credited with creating realistic age makeup as an alternative to prosthetics, blending special effects with hidden bladders and squibs, and for innovating the combination of makeup with on-set "practical" effects, as seen in William Friedkin's The Exorcist (1973).
In a time where makeup artists were secretive about their techniques and unions purposely suppressed the sharing of knowledge, Smith proved to be a generous soul, mentoring and training many younger artists who went on to accomplished careers in cinema, including Rick Baker, Mike Marino, Greg Cannom, and many more. Smith went as far as publishing an instructional book in 1965 titled Dick Smith's Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-up Handbook as a special edition of Forrest J. Ackerman's "Famous Monsters of Filmland" series.
With a career that spanned over six decades, Smith is today best known for his work on such classics as Little Big Man (1970), The Godfather (1972), Taxi Driver (1976), Altered States (1980), Scanners (1981), The Hunger (1983), Starman (1984), and Death Becomes Her (1992). In 1985, he won an Academy Award® for Best Makeup for his work on Amadeus, as well as a BAFTA® the following year. He was honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences twice with special tribute ceremonies in 2009 and again in 2011, the latter including an Honorary Academy Award® presented by his most acclaimed protégé, Rick Baker. Smith left an indelible legacy in film and television, represented by a curated collection he carefully maintained throughout his career. Propstore is pleased to present these select artifacts from this legendary artist's personal collection, reflecting a distinguished career spanning decades in Hollywood and beyond.
This item comes with a Propstore Certificate of Authenticity.