1951 Inscribed Lone Ranger Mask
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GUEST:
What we're looking at is the mask that was used on the first episode of "The Lone Ranger." A lot of people think of the Lone Ranger with the black mask. The actual first masks were made of plaster of Paris over his face, and then they'd cover that with purple felt. It gave a very good contrast with the costume that was used on the program.
APPRAISER:
And it was of course filmed in black and white and that's why they did that.
GUEST:
That's correct.
APPRAISER:
Now, you have a picture here and there's a little boy, that's you.
GUEST:
That's correct.
APPRAISER:
And that's Clayton Moore.
GUEST:
Yes, it is.
APPRAISER:
The Lone Ranger.
GUEST:
My father was very active in the film industry. He met a lot of famous people. And they had a next-door neighbor who introduced my father to Clayton Moore, and they became very close friends.
APPRAISER:
Mm-hmm. And as a child you used to go over to Clayton's house?
GUEST:
Yes, we'd have barbecues over there and go swimming. As a matter of fact, Uncle Clayton taught me how to swim.
APPRAISER:
Mm-hmm.
GUEST:
And he'd come over to dinner one night, and he brought this mask with him. My dad asked him if he wouldn't autograph it, and he did just that. He signed it, "Clayton Moore, The Lone Ranger," and he dated it 1951. And then he put on the other side, "To my pal," and then he put for my mother, "And Layla too."
APPRAISER:
(laughs) So this is the actual mask that the Lone Ranger wore in the first television series.
GUEST:
That's correct. The episode was "Pete and Pedro."
APPRAISER:
He eventually changed it, correct?
GUEST:
That's correct. He did not like this mask because it covered too much of his face. He designed the black mask as it's known today.
APPRAISER:
This is an iconic item. Judy Garland's ruby red slippers.
GUEST:
Right, right.
APPRAISER:
Clayton Moore's mask as the Lone Ranger. It's one of these pieces that just kind of takes your breath away when you see it. I mean, everyone who's looked at this today has been like, "Whoa, hey!" You know, and everyone's a little curious why is it purple? But it makes perfect sense. I think that this is worth at least $25,000.
GUEST:
Oh, my gosh!
APPRAISER:
At an auction, who knows what could happen, sky's the limit. The fact that it's signed by Clayton Moore to your father, the family connection, it's remarkable. This stuff comes into the show and it blows my mind, and... here it is, Lone Ranger's mask, you know, who would have thought.
GUEST:
Yeah, exactly. It's definitely worth its weight in silver, isn't it? (laughing)
APPRAISER:
Absolutely.
GUEST:
That's great.
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