The four pieces to this set were all sold together. I have several wholesaler catalogs that show the set, which were made in the USA sometime well before 1920. The others in this set: a witch, a black cat and a girl running clutching a JOL all have a mechanical feature. This vampire clown, though, is an outlier relative to its design. Whereas the others are fairly tame designs, this one is wacky, odd and definitely a product of a fevered imagination. (It is almost as if the designer took something to prompt such an "out there" product.)
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1940-50 HALLOWEEN BIG 18" BLACK CAT & MOON BEISTLE DECORATION
I have never seen this large and imposing diecut in perfect condition. The ends of the "fence" are always either bent or missing. Given that fact, this example is perhaps the best I have ever seen of this super Beistle product made from 1949-1953.
VINTAGE BEISTLE HALLOWEEN PARTY TABLE DECORATIONS
This early set, originally issued in 1918, is almost never seen in its enveloped iteration. Although incomplete as to its pieces, the envelope is the real treasure here.
CRESCENT MOON & CAT HALLOWEEN DIE CUT HEAVILY EMBOSSED DECORATION ~ 1930s GERMAN
The color on this hard-to-find diecut is amazing.
Authentic German Vintage Halloween 3 Panel Screen
I wonder why this fantastic, vintage fireplace screen didn't bring more money?
VINTAGE DENNISON/BEISTLE HALLOWEEN BLACK DANCING CAT TABLE CENTER PIECE
This table centerpiece was actually made by Gibson in the 1920s.
Vintage Beistle Fortune Wheel For Halloween Parties game/decoration, 1926
I love seeing these iconic Beistle treasures bring such strong results! Although these surface regularly, condition is typically an issue since the design was prone to immediate wear and tear. Having one available for auction in this "very fine" condition certainly was the primary driver for this result.
Vintage 1920's Dennison Halloween Diecut Hissing Snarling Cat Face
As pointed out on page 120, Dennison made this snarling black cat face in three sizes. This one is the smallest one. The 2 others measured 11" H x 10" W & 17" H x 15.25" W.
Vintage Halloween Old Large Black Cat Stand-up Diecut, Germany, 1920s-30s
This is probably the closest-to-perfect such diecut I have seen in many years. The superb seller is right, of course: the larger the diecut the harder it is to find them in such condition. The fillip I would add is that those diecuts with irregular borders are harder to find in such nice condition. This example is both large and irregular, so snap it up if you don't own it already or if you need an upgrade.
PAPER MACHE DEVIL HEAD CANDY CONTAINER
The buyer got the bargain of the year obtaining this vintage and near-mint candy container for a pittance.
Halloween Noisemaker
Each time I have ever seen this particular noisemaker offered for sale the handle is loose, so I suspect that the manufacturer made them all that way.
Halloween Paper Decoration
This is the top part to a very rare Rosen mechanical "Witch Pops" box. I have seven of these Rosen boxes in my personal collection now. You can see several of them on page 104.
4-sided Halloween Lamp Shade
I almost fell out of my chair when I saw this listing. This lantern, made by Gibson in 1929, is exceptionally rare. The Relative Scarcity Index number assigned to this in my book on page 45 is 1. This marks only the second time in my collecting career that I have seen this item. This lantern is huge and is eye-catching. I can't wait to see what this excellent item fetches!!!
Vintage Halloween witch decoration
This common broomed witch diecut was made by Merri-Lei Corporation of New York beginning in the 1950s and continuing for perhaps a decade. It was typically sold in a set with several other diecuts including a JOL and a black cat.
1920s HALLOWEEN – BEISTLE DANCING SKELETON WITH ENVELOPE
The buyer got an exceptionally good deal here.
