Although this could absolutely be displayed like a diecut, it isn't actually a diecut. This is a remnant cut away from one of the exceedingly rare mechanical Rosen counter-top display sucker boxes. This was once part of a Rosen Owl Pops box. A complete example can be seen on page 116 of my newly published third edition.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Original-vintage ANTIQUE (Germany-?) PAPER ~"HALLOWEEN~Party HAT"!
This result is somewhat surprising. The Germans produced scads of these thin-tissue hats, so many that large quantities survived their journey through nearly 100 years of time. Although this particular design is arguably their best, these typically trade for far less, generally in the $25-35 range. If you look at the bidding history, it may be that the prevailing bidder never expected someone else to bid nearly that high. In fact, if the underbidder hadn't been active, the prevailing bid would have been ~$38, a tad over the high end of the expected price bracket.
VINTAGE LOT US METAL TOY MFG OWL NOISEMAKER CLICKER HALLOWEEN LITHO NOISE MAKER
This lot of four owl tin clickers by US Metal Toy didn't last long. Although the clickers are common, getting four of them for less than $10 each is a true bargain. The purchased used the ill-bestowed BIN wisely.
Vintage German Halloween Veggie Man Candy Container - Marked
Alas, yet another fantasy piece in Ebay's vintage category. This ugly little number first began appearing in the mid-1990s. If you are out and about at an antiques show, this will be the container you'll most often find. They were made in high numbers, surprising since it has nothing going for it. Naturally, it has zero collectible value.
Vintage Dennison Seals Halloween Large Size 20 Complete Monkey ? Stickers Unused
It's interesting what people see in imagery. The seller sees a monkey-like creature riding a mouse. The artist who created this seal design may have been mortified by this observation as he/she meant to show a witch riding a black cat. Dennison's designs were quite different from what had gone before during the period of ~1928-1931. This boxed set is a good example of the type of design Dennison produced during that interval.
1910-1930’s WOOD CARVED HALLOWEEN STANDING CAT GERMAN RATCHET CLICKER TOY
The seller made a mistake when listing this as an item from the 1910s through the 1930s. I think he/she meant to say that it was made off-shore, probably in China, in 2014.
Vintage Halloween Skeleton CAndy Container Germany
This is not vintage and has no collectible value.
NEAR MINT Vintage Halloween Jack o Lantern Diecut Decoration, Germany 1920s-30s
Things are perking up on Ebay. One of my favorite sellers has listed this near-pristine example of a German JOL diecut. These used to be ubiquitous but those days are gone - perhaps for good. With so many collectors chasing relatively few near-mint or better vintage items, examples such as these get absorbed in collections not to surface again for sometimes many years. As many of you know, competition is fierce, as it should be for this pleasing icon of long-ago Halloweens.
Vintage HALLOWEEN Jack O'Lantern JOL Witch 4-Sided LANTERN Shade GIBSON 1920s!
It is heartening to see such a rare item listed on Ebay. The pickings there have been so slim for so many months that seeing this was bracing. I've been a collector and curator of vintage Halloween memorabilia since 1988 and have only seen this Gibson lantern offered for sale one time. I bought it! (You can see it on page 42.) If you collect lanterns, this is a well-designed, interesting example of Gibson's artistry. Don't let this one go!
07/12 Update: And it didn't go quietly or cheaply! It sold for an astounding $493 after much spirited bidding. Although significantly more than current book value, it could be quite a long while before another one surfaces. Kudos to both the seller and the buyer!
VINTAGE HALLOWEEN Paper Doilies/Coasters x2 Witch Jack OLantern JOL 1920s UNUSED
These two doilies were very likely made by Whitney of Massachusetts in the 1920s. They were originally sold in packages of ten. These are the only two styles I've seen. (They are shown on page 282 of my newly published 3rd edition.) I like this seller's crisp descriptions and high-resolution photos. From my personal interactions with them, I find them to be quite interested in getting the details of their listing correct. Bravo and much good luck with this and all of your listings!
VINTAGE HALLOWEEN DECORATION BLACK CAT CREPE PAPER LEGS LIMBS & EXTRA BEISTLE
The package containing diecuts comprising the Hep Cat Orchestra is not vintage. Beistle's first foray into reproducing vintage items took place in 2003 under the banner of Old Time Halloween. This was a short-lived foray as it wasn't successful. Beistle learned from this and became smarter about a decade later when they began issuing reproductions using quality materials and packaging. They also took, and continue to take, pains to ensure their reproduction efforts don't interfere with the very robust secondary market.
Large Lot Vintage Tin Litho Halloween Noisemakers Clicker Horns US Metal Cohn
The smart buyer of this lot got a very sweet deal for $125. Bravo! The star of the lot is the rattler with the cat faces ringed by bats and owls. That alone would bring $45. Bravo!
VINTAGE 1920's-30's Dennison HALLOWEEN Black Cat Face HALLOWE'EN CUT-OUTS Box
The seller, long on my list of those I love doing business with, indicates that the contents have been carefully cut in half. This was certainly done after-market by an intrepid party-giver to play some sort of matching game.
4 VINTAGE 1960's HALLOWEEN Trick or Treat Bags w/Witch/Bats/Children/Skull/JOL
The secondary market has never placed a high value on trick-or-treat bags, I think primarily due to their banal imagery. This one is sure different. There is a lot going on with its undercurrent of scariness. I love the steeple and moon in the background reminiscent of the large, tooth-edged Beistle diecut of a broomed witch shown on page 150. I like the skull in the foreground and the shambling nature of the kids skirting by the old hag. This is a great TorT bag!
VINTAGE HARD PLASTIC SKELETON HEAD LIGHTED HALLOWEEN BUCKET PAIL-1988-RARE-RARE!
OK, so what is this doing in the "vintage" category? And what makes it "rare-rare!" Even though there are still great sellers on Ebay who offer quality items, I feel they are quite hobbled by the "who-cares" attitude Ebay seems to have about the integrity of their own categories and the ability of some sellers to endlessly list and re-list the same tired stuff without ever lowering their starting price. Although I still troll through the listings regularly, I have to say it has become less of a joyful experience due to these and other factors.
