1970s Collegeville Gumby Costume

DELUXE COSTUME FOR MASQUERADE

This 1970s Collegeville Gumby Costume is a true work of art and a real thrift score. It’s not often you find a costume in the original box complete with the accessories and makeup.

Naturally, I felt the urge to share this wild find with the internet especially given the fact that there is zero digital trail for this particular item.

THE ADVENTURES OF GUMBY

I have fond memories of going to the video rental store for Gumby videos with my sister. He was (and still is) our absolute favourite. The magical world of claymation coincided with my adoration of all things miniature too. Was there anyone who grew up in the 80s/90s that didn’t worship Polly Pocket?

Art Clokey made a show I still turn to for comfort viewing even as a 30 something adult. 

1970s GUMBY COSTUME

Despite there not being a copyright date on the packaging, I dated it back to the 1970s based on a couple of clues.

First of all, the patterning on the box screams seventies with the weird little floral patterns. Collegeville costumes from the 1960s used a different font and overall package design so I ruled out that decade.

In addition to that, the style of Gumby also helped form my opinion. Based on the shape of Gumby’s head, it appears to be the version of him from 1960s-1970s. His head was redesigned again in 1980. (See image below)

From left to right: 1956, 1957, 1960s, 1980s, 2000s

Playing Nancy Drew and trying to figure out these vintage mysteries is a hobby of mine. It brings me great joy!

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

Another clue that made me realize the item was decidedly not from the 1980s was the fabric content. The costume is 100% cotton!!! All my 80s / 90s costumes that weren’t made by family members, were 100% plastic.

Aside from a little pilling, the costume overall has aged magnificently. 

This cotton Gumby costume is IDEAL for a prairie Halloween as we usually are graced with a dusting or outright dump of snow. I can comfortably fit a few layers beneath this roomy green jumpsuit.

Bonus: it has matching gloves and a hat that is basically an insulated toque. Surprisingly the structured hat really stands up well.

ORIGINAL GREEN FACE PAINT

I could not bring myself to test out the original tube of green face paint. Nevermind it looks like moldy sludge, I have ZERO interest in giving myself a skin infection from this mysterious substance. At minimum it is sixty years old. No thank you.

Please enjoy this photo of it instead.

THE GUMBY FACE

Next time I wear the costume, perhaps I will add some yellow eyebrows to my sunglasses or use contemporary face paint to complete the look. In the meantime, sunglasses will have to do in this Joe Cool version of Gumby.

photographs – jesse sand + sandy joe karpetz