This is an exceptional example of a decorative candle box, arguably the best I have ever seen. It went for a song, much to my chagrin. I had this on my "watch list" and simply forgot to bid. Congratulations to the attentive buyer!
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Vintage Wood Halloween Black Cat & Pumpkin Cart on Wheels 8 1/2 Inches T9
Given the overall design and the ringed rear wheels, I would hazard a guess that this anodyne item was made sometime during the 1960s by a regional decorative items manufacturer.
German Cardboard Die-cut Moon and Pumpkin Man Guaranteed Old 5" Diameter
This is a great example of this diecut in an unglazed state. As you know, many German diecuts were released after an additional "manufacturing" step of an application of a glaze coating. (Now, whether or not a diecut is glazed doesn't necessarily impact value - all else being equal.) An effect that glazing has is to better preserve the diecuts' original brighter colors. Glazed diecuts also have a sheen that tends to give them a sense of a greater depth.
Halloween Vintage Noise Maker Pan Shape Rattle Tin Noise Maker
Given that these typically go for $25-40 each, depending on condition, Grandma must be an incurable optimist or ill-informed. I am guessing the latter.
vtg Halloween RARE version Beistle Jack o' Lantern Fortune Game has OWL EASEL
The buyer of this great Beistle item got a post-holiday bargain. Prices for most vintage Halloween items tend to drop like a stone from November 1 through late March. This is an example of how great items can be scooped up for a relative pittance this time of the year.
OLD HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN CANDY CONTAINER
This is just one example of why Ebay has become such a lesser marketplace. These ATCO pulp JOLs are very common and not strongly desired. When they do sell, they typically do so in the range of $30-45. This seller lists one and asks $95. Reading the seller's listing verbiage it is apparent that he/she know nothing about the item. Replicate this again and again, couple it with those irritating sellers who list and re-list, never dropping their prices, and you can get a sense as to why I hardly sell on the site and am typically uninterested in browsing the listings.
Vintage Halloween JOL? Cat? Decoration Candy Container?
This is not a vintage item. It was made in the late 1990s by Department 56 and has decorative value only.
Happy New Year Everyone!
Welcome to 2014, faithful readers! I hope that your holidays were memorable - and for all the right reasons.
I've just finished trolling through listings on Ebay, icollect247 and RubyLane. The pickings are slim indeed. This time of the year tends to be pretty hardscrabble in terms of Halloween collectibles, something I'm not projecting to change for months and months. My intention is to post more often, but I am generally gated by things for sale on which I wish to comment.
If you have specific questions or topics you'd like me to address, drop me a line and I'll do my best.
Antique German Halloween GOOGLY EYE Candy Container Figure RARE H.C. CAPWELL
Boy, I am tired of this seller listing and re-listing this unwanted item. I could generalize and say that too many sellers simply list and re-list ad nauseum, rather than hearing the message from the market that no one wants their items at the prices offered. I feel sellers should only re-list if they drop the price substantially each time. I haven't checked, but I'll bet this piece has been offered at the same too-high price for over 18 months. Don't you think that Ebay should have a policy limiting the number of times a seller can re-list without lowering the price by a minimum percentage? Unfortunately, Ebay has become a crapyard except for a few months out of the year, and then only because of a few sellers.
Box of 30 VINTAGE 1950's Dennison HALLOWEEN Witch/Cat/Scarecrow Gummed Seals
By the 1950s, Dennison had experienced a steep downward trajectory relative to creativity. Compare this "meh" assortment of seals to almost any of their boxed sets from the 1920s and 1930s to see what I mean. That said, seals from this era are an affordable niche for collectors who prefer imagery from this period. Give me the earlier sets anytime!
Rare Old Vintage Halloween Cardboard Black Cat Squeeze Box Accordion H E Luhrs
Why doesn't this prolific seller invest in a better camera or devote more time to ensuring his photos actually enhance, rather than detract from, the listing?
5 3/4" - Very Old GERMANY HALLOWEEN DIECUT - JOL w STAR MOON HAT
See below...This, too, has been trimmed. No mention of this fact in the description.
5" - Very Old GERMANY HALLOWEEN DIECUT - FLAPPER FACE
This diecut has been trimmed to accentuate the chin. In such an altered condition, it has zero collectible value. This seller is quite familiar with vintage Halloween collectibles and should have pointed this out.
Large Dennison Floating Specter Halloween Die-Cut
Wow, another record-setting price from azpaperlady. I wonder who is bidding such large sums of money on damaged items? I wouldn't have thought that this item, with the serious tape blemish to its face, would bring such a strong price. Lately, I have seen an 8" version of this cool diecut being offered for sale. I think these smaller diecuts are fantasy items. There is no indication in any Dennison publication that this was made in two sizes. Be cautious!
BEISTLE HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN LANTERN ★ Cardboard Tissue VTG Antique 1930's
Prices for this iconic Beistle lantern from 1930-1931 have been strong this year. Even pieces, like this lot, bring more money than I would expect.