Ended 10/27
Wow, a near-mint example of a 1931 Beistle smiling Skairo - The Hallowe'en Bug! I can't even remember when one in such desirable condition was offered for sale. This should bring very strong dollars.
(But it really didn't, ending at $381.99. The buyer got a bargain. This was probably offered too late in the season.)
Ends 10/27
Whenever you see the "Life of the party" tag line on Kirchhof products, know that the item was made in the late 1950s. Given the white border and the bright colors on this now-garish tambourine, this later manufacturing date may have been obvious anyway. These later produced tin litho noisemakers typically have a substantially lesser value than older versions.
This is a cool variant to what I have in my collection. From about 1913 through 1932, German porcelain manufacturers - there were at least two different "factories" producing this kind of material - issued a dazzling array of Halloween-themed tea set pieces. The children's sized tea pot, lidded sugar bowl and creamer are perhaps the most common of the output. There is a wildly rare set of items made for the adult table. Not only are the sizes significantly larger, but the designs tended to be more complex. The item up for sale here is from this extremely hard-to-find adult-sized set of items. The one in my collection, shown on page 117, has an orange cat. Prior to seeing this listing, I was unaware that a variant featuring a black cat existed. I expect this item to bring quite a high price.
(And it brought just that, the very strong price of $576.99.)
This Beistle plumed owl hat was made for a single season, 1931. This surfaces rarely, so even with the very minor damage indicated, if you collect early Beistle paper items - and what true collector doesn't (smile) - this is one you should snap up. I applaud the seller for starting the auction at a price well below what it should be expected to fetch.
The following items are not vintage items, but either reproductions or fantasy items produced within the last 20 years. They have no collectible value:
120981265037, 251146944099, 251144626662, 280973632282, 230854624065, 221129059587, 290779711322, 180981026414, 110956575277, 280980527985, 271069988518, 300786481351, 280982675199, 110958498569, 190733187494, 110959249476, 230859781907, 350614618040, 350614607628, 180994189411, 180996610322, 190739661307, 190739659846, 280998558850, 280998581020, 200834301110, 140870012109, 290794926226, 130786972983, 400330793906, 230869083929
This seller implies that I have valued it at $3,000 even with the disclosed repair. This is false. I have had no contact with this seller prior to a few minutes ago when I contacted them requesting that this reference be removed. The diecut is incredibly rare. In perfect condition, based on the results of two auctions since 2010, I would estimate the value to be in the neighborhood of $2,000. With the repair, I'd knock off 10-15%.
(Glad to see this seller, who dishonestly attributed a valuation to me, didn't get much for this. This git apologized to me for the falsification then NEVER changed his auction verbiage. I have added him to my list of those with whom I choose not to do business.)
This Beistle winged ghoul is nearly impossible to find in complete condition. Nearly always there are two specific condition issues with this great vintage piece: the top knots are missing as are both edges of the base. Although the top knots of this item have been affixed with tape, this is an easy repair for a good paper restorer. This should do well, an easy projection to make given how high the bids are as of this writing - $202.49.
(Ended at $406.66 - wow!)
A substantial number of these Beistle decorations (all of the variants) were discovered as NOS around 2003, greatly depressing their value. The designs were made when Beistle was running on fumes from an artistic design standpoint, so their collectible value was never great. If you are inclined to buy these decorations, be sure that they are dead mint with a dead mint envelope.
I love this "pop-up" German hat. Not only is the imagery unusual and compelling, but the inherent fragility of the material makes these extant examples truly scarce. Throw in the fact that you have an opportunity to purchase this from one of the finest sellers on Ebay, and you have a perfect confluence of goodness.
(I am agog over the ending price of $198.63!)
This is a head-scratcher! I wonder why this not uncommon noisemaker brought so much?
This is a truly rare box of Dennison seals definitely made sometime between 1929-1931. Prior to looking at this listing, I've not seen this particular design offered for sale. I'd be a bidder but the box is much too rough for my collection.
(Condition really affects value. This rare set only brought $123.83, about half of what I feel a near-mint set would have fetched.)
This noisemaker, another item I've not seen before, was definitely made by Merri-Lei of New York in the 1950s. The tells are the glossy paper stock and the incised lines.
(This brought a stronger-than-expected $47.56.)
This odd lantern was originally manufactured without any inserts. The way it is being offered is its original state.
This is only the third time I have ever seen this drawing game for sale! Made by Gibson in the 1930s, it originally came with a pad of paper. They were sold folded, so the crease below the verbiage is how it came from the factory. Condition will certainly factor in to the ending price, but this is an uber-rare item. If you collect Gibson items, this may not surface again for a long time. (I bought mine in the 1990s.)
(This should have brought much more.)
The seller states that this diecut has "...no flaws to report." Hmmm...
