I recently acquired this dramatic Lon Chaney Jr as Frankenstein’s Monster photograph from noted monsterkid David J. Skal through his eBay listing. Now if only Lon Chaney could have delivered this mood in Ghost of Frankenstein, that would have been wonderful to see.

Here’s Mr. Skal’s listing note:

“This dramatic portrait of Lon Chaney, Jr. as the monster in GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN (1942) was the central for several image-flopped original posters, including some international ones. The posters would have been vastly better had they retained the full shadowy impact of the original photo! This is a midcentury darkroom print (likely 1960s, though perhaps earlier); 8×10, bordered, on traditional glossy fiber paper (not resin-coated) in excellent condition for a photo previously  used editorially. Signs of normal handling wear, with some lower right corner border crimping. Some printer’s instructions on the back in light repro blue ink, a small piece of clear tape, and the stamp of original owner, the late Stephen Jochsberger, (d. 1989) a noted New York collector and fan magazine contributor. Seller purchased item from the Jochsberger estate in1990. From the personal research collection of David J. Skal, author of HOLLYWOOD GOTHIC and THE MONSTER SHOW. “