The Blue Coal Calendar for 1942 (with The Shadow!)

This is not an easy item to find. The Shadow is featured in January, right up front, which is nice. Blue Coal sponsored The Shadow radio show from 1931 to 1949, and I know they made other calendars. I wonder if they also feature The Shadow? I know that the 1943 one does not. So far, the only calendar I could find was this one, which is complete but extremely damaged around the edges. Oddly, the center part, with the various sheets for the months, is in very good condition. Why would anyone cut up various bits and pieces around the edge? Probably only The Shadow would know...

The Shadow in detail.

The Shadow "Blue Coal" Ring and Mailer (1941)

This famous classic "The Shadow" premium ring from 1941 has simulated dark blue coal lump on the top while the bands each depict The Shadow in costume holding a gun.

This is the mailer in which "Blue Coal" sent the ring in the US (the Canadian version is blue). Also included an instruction sheet -- still looking for that one...

The Shadow "Crime Does Not Pay!" Matchbook (Blue Coal, 1940's)

The Shadow "Blue Coal" Blotter, Style L (1940's)

The Shadow "Blue Coal" Blotter, Style C (1940's)

The Shadow "Blue Coal - Montgomery Bros." Matchbook (Blue Coal, 1945)

According to the Martin Grams blog, matchbooks were used to promote The Shadow radio show from the Summer of 1945. They were sold to Blue Coal dealers in multiples of 500 at $3.00 per thousand, personalized with the dealer's address and phone number. The matchbooks were then promoted in the radio show itself. In the blog you can find a great transcription of this early "product placement".