Fakes, etc.

I'll begin populating this page with photos of reproductions, fakes and fantasy items as I see them listed on eBay, Etsy and other such sites. Hopefully, collectors will refer to this page to minimize the occasions reproductions, fakes and fantasy items are unknowingly purchased. If you see something on this page that was sold to you purporting to be a vintage item, immediately send it back for a full refund. 

Vintage Halloween Paper Mache/Composite Witch with Black Hat Horn - Germany

These fantasy horns have been showing up regularly for years. This model is larger than the plethora of fake horns that have plagued the hobby since the 1990s. Laughingly, each is always described as minty, new/old stock, wonderful or some other such appellation that slyly denotes the reality that they were made as recently as yesterday. Don't be fooled by these objects. They have very modest decorative value only.. 

VINTAGE 1927 HALLOWEEN DAISY PUMPKIN FACE RING TOSS GAME IMMACULATE VERY RARE

This isn’t the real deal. This game was reproduced a few years ago. This seems to be a better quality fake. Except for the copied graphics, nothing is right about it. The thickness of the box and its height are wrong, the lack of a manufacturer’s name (It should be Schacht Rubber Manufacturing Company.) is wrong, the laughably flimsy rings are wrong. Be on guard for fakes. This hobby is too expensive to waste money ignorantly.

03/15 Update: You have to love this seller. Once he learned that this item was a reproduction, he immediately ended the listing and relisted it as a reproduction - no fuss, no muss. He also had an excellent sense of humor about it. Read his verbiage in the relisting. It will bring a smile to your face. He writes: “I’d like to get $100 for it, but I’d also like to be dating Emmy Rossum.” You just have to appreciate there are still people in this world who approach situations that aren’t advantageous to them with a ready quip. Bravo!

German Halloween Devil’s Head Candy Container in Original Box

This is a newer twist on an old problem - fantasy items. The seller states that this was obtained 30 years ago. This devil head fantasy item first appeared in 1995, so the seller mustn’t be very adept at math. The new twist, surely meant to fool, is the presence of the “original box.” Look carefully, vow not to be taken for a chump, laugh and walk right on by this listing.

New Old Stock 1950's Chalkware Halloween Cat & Moon Germany

This is not a vintage item. It was made by Radko within the last 10 years or so. It is distressing to see that somebody wasted their collecting dollars on something that has decorative value only. People: This hobby has become pricey enough that one MUST do their research before buying anything. Go to one of the tabs above this post and buy a copy of my reference, Vintage Halloween Collectibles, 3rd Edition. 

Vintage Halloween 1920's German diecut? Beistle, Dennison, Eureka.

I am really surprised that people haven't figured out that is is a newly made item based loosely on the truly vintage German fireplace screen diecut made during the 1920s. (There was recently a cache of these truly vintage screens unearthed. They have been offered so frequently that the price has decidedly turned down. It may be several years before the prices for the vintage screens regain ground.) In any event, right now this reproduction or fake is at $381 with 4+ days to go. In this hobby, research is vital to avoid being taken in by such offerings. 

10/31 Update: This screen was made by Bethany Lowe in 2006. Another one sold for several hundred dollars. In both cases, buyers figuratively poured their money down the drain.