Ends 11/12
I love unbridled optimism - especially at this time of year. Although this partial set is quite desirable, given the many condition issues this seller's Buy-It-Now price is the very definition of unbridled optimism.
Blog
Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Vintage German Paper Mache Halloween Witch Roly Poly c1920
Ends 11/05
Although a very nicely crafted vintage item, this wasn't made for the Halloween season but to commemorate St. Patrick's Day.
Fortune Wheel Game For Halloween Party ~ Witch/Cat/Pumpkin
Ends 11/01
I haven't seen this item offered in better condition all season.
Beistle Halloween Puzzle Fortune Game Jack-O-Lantern from the 1920's
Ends 10/31
There are more of these extant games than I thought existed at one time. These once brought $125-175. It will be instructive to see what this brings. Prices tend to droop in the latter half of October for several reasons: lots of collectors have already exhausted their budget by this time, the quantity of offerings greatly increases and for some, seasonal fatigue sets in. (Not for me, though!)
DEVIL NOISEMAKER ANTIK HALLOWEEN PAPER MACHE GERMANY 1930
Ends 10/28
All of the Halloween items this Germany-based seller has listed as of this writing were made no earlier than about 1995, including this devil noisemaker, one of the better-known fantasy pieces that began plaguing our fine hobby in the mid-1990s. They have decorative value only.
Antique HC CAPWELL Halloween WITCH CANDY CONTAINER Germany
Ends 10/28
Surely the chenille arms, so out of synch with the rest of the materials used, are not original to this otherwise interesting item.
BEISTLE HALLOWEEN JOINTED CAT orange / black vintage CAT MONSTER
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.)
Vintage Witch Halloween Tambourine made in the USA by KIRCHHOF w/ bats
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.
VINTAGE HALLOWEEN BLACK CAT/JACK OF LANTERNS - GERMANY
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.)
Vintage Beistle Owl with Tissue Plumes
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.
No vintage value - 10-26-2012
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
VINTAGE 1935 GERMAN HALLOWEEN EMBOSSED DIE-CUT WINGED DEVIL BAT
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.)
Vintage 1930's Halloween stand up ghoul jointed cardboard and crepe paper
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!)
Old Beistle Halloween Scarecrow Hanging Decoration w/Original Paper Bag
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.
RARE Vintage Halloween Witch’s Hat with Running Cats, Germany 1920s
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!)