9.25" tall hand-carved solid acetate plastic master pattern for Aurora's Phantom of the Opera model kit. HMS Associates (a product development company) of Willow Grove, PA., was hired by Aurora to create master patterns for two new kits in their expanding line of Universal Monster models (Phantom of the Opera and King Kong). Both monsters were hand-carved out of solid blocks of acetate plastic by well-known sculptor Larry Ehling, who was then sub-contracting w/HMS. Ehling would carve each piece, then precisely cut it along the "break line," the seams where pieces fit together. After the sculptures were completed (each took between 2-3 weeks to finish and cost $2,000-$3,000), the pieces were sent to another specialty company, Ferriot Brothers, who created the beryllium copper molds by using a pantograph machine which traced over the acetate pieces while a cutter on the other end carved the mold cavity. When completed, both the sculptures and the molds were shipped to Aurora. There, the molds were inserted into injection molding machines and the production process began. Meanwhile, these master patterns were assembled and painted by staff members, then used for catalog photography and other promotional purposes. Offered here is the master pattern prototype for Aurora's Phantom of the Opera model kit. Base is complete w/"The Phantom Of The Opera" name plaque, rat, lizard and prisoner behind bars. The Phantom's professional paint job closely matches Aurora's box art, though w/a healthier skin tone than the green-tinted box version. Model is complete w/separate mask but is missing right hand, however still holds mask (if carefully placed) for display purposes and a replacement hand could be easily substituted from a production model. Figure has scattered paint wear, mainly to shirt and on cape at shoulders. Still displays Fine, w/detailed eyes looking terrifying when mask is in place on Phantom's face. A one-of-a-kind piece for the Aurora collector. In our last auction, we sold the King Kong master pattern for $3,233.