Cheap Laffs: The Art of the Novelty Item

by Mark Newgarden and Picturebox Inc.

A lighthearted exploration of pop culture's fascination with gag and practical joke novelty items celebrates the history of the industry, exploring the originality, if tastelessness, of such items as the Whoopee Cushion, the artificial ink spot, and the rubber chicken. It unearths the best, oddest, most intriguing novelties of 20th century.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810955997
• ISBN13: 9780810955998
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.3" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

More Laffs Than Its Subjects

My father got this for Christmas and I immediately stole it - it's got dry humor in the descriptions, cynical humor in the "Target Audience," and matchless unintentional comedy from the original ads and product imagery. It's a must-have for anyone interested in the corny heyday of gag props as well as the post-modern snarkiness and wit of excellent writing. Recommended for fans of: Chris Ware, Jon Stewart, Sockington.

A Tour De Force of Novelty History!

The "TARGET:" lines on "The Laffs" pages alone are worth the price of the book! Oh, wait a minute, this book costs $19.95. The "TARGET:" lines and maybe the nice, firm cover together are worth the price. Maybe.

Buy this book!

Everything that the editorial material above says is true: this handsomely photographed and crisply designed book is packed with oddball novelties from the preeceeding century. What the above does not convey is that Cheap Laffs is also laugh (or should I say "laff") out loud funny. Buy it. Now.