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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.

Vintage Jack-O-Lantern cardboard Hat

This very desirable continental hat with plume was made by Beistle from 1925-1931. The condition of this particular example seems to be superb! Typically, one or both of the extreme ends is missing, but not with this one. The color seems bright, another plus. On my Relative Scarcity Index, I give this a "2," which means rare. If you'd like to see its companion, please turn to page 238. Beistle has been red-hot on Ebay this season, so it would not surprise me if this great hat ends at a price significantly above the guide value of $200. 

09/01 Update: I expected this fantastic hat to go high but never dreamed that it fetch $510. Maybe it is time to sell mine! 

HALLOWEEN BRIDGE TALLY CARD PUMPKIN VOLLAND OLD VINTAGE

Volland, a clever manufacturer with typically understated designs, is sadly unheralded today. This tally is simple yet compelling. Not only is it a straightforward JOL, but in a very small form factor all four card suits have been subtly worked into the overall design - without seeming forced or god-forbid, cutesy. Volland's output wasn't too large. They merged with Gerlach Barklow in 1924, moving their operations from Chicago to Joliet. They were kaput by 1933. 

vntg Halloween witch paper lantern Germany unusual very good/exc. condition

This witch hanger, one of a largish set, is a well-designed and fun item - but oh-so-fragile. The latticed paper comprising the "body" of the witch is delicate and very prone to tearing. One tear and the integrity of the lattice is severely compromised. It is for this reason that I sold the ones I had in the collection. It was simply too stressful hanging them. When they aren't hung, they don't appear to be too interesting, sealing my decision to sell. However, if you have a place to hang these and forget them - be sure to bid on this and the other lots from this set this seller has up right now. All of these hangers were made in Germany in the 1920s. 

Old Vintage Cardboard Halloween Nut Cup Candy Container Holder Dennison 1920's

Dennison issued a set of four of these well-designed nut cups in the late 1920s. They were sold only as a set. Dennison began liberalizing their imagery and using gold highlights during this period, a period that stretched until about 1931. On my Relative Scarcity Index, I assign these a "2," meaning they are "rare." These don't come up for sale all that often. The seller claims they have never been folded. If you like ephemera like this - and who doesn't - don't let the three now up for auction slip by. 

9/1 Update: I am surprised these nut cups didn't bring more than $24.99. I chalk it up to the vagaries of Ebay as these typically fetch $75 each. The buyer got a steal. 

OLD Halloween die cut perched owl against the moon Hallmark

This smallish perched owl diecut was made by Hallmark in the later 1940s. It was sold as one diecut of a boxed set of diecuts. (Hallmark didn't seem to have a standardized set of diecuts sold in their larger box, but seemed to have a varying assortment they sold over a handful of Halloween seasons.) You can see what the box looks like if you turn to page 164 of my new third edition. (Hallmark sold place cards in a smaller, otherwise identical box.) 

Pair Vintage Halloween Paper Bats Decor Diecuts Ephemera

Unfortunately, whomever the buyer was bought newly made items with no collectible value. The sad thing is that this seller was informed by a long-time collector in Pennsylvania that she was selling newly made items and mightily resisted this information. (I experience this phenomenon all the time, sadly...) Be sure to do your research before buying vintage Halloween memorabilia. Prices are high enough across the board that a little bit of time invested in education in our fun hobby will surely prevent you from buying such things. 

VINTAGE 50" GERMAN DIECUT HALLOWEEN SKELETON

The Germans made at least three different sizes of their hyper-detailed, highly embossed, jointed skeleton diecuts, with this size, 50", almost never seen. I have one in the collection, but the thing is so massive that I found it impossible to have it photographed for the newly published third edition without the possibility of the diecut sustaining some damage. The ending price of $673.99 is quite aggressive. If you examine the bidding history, the piece likely would have ended ~$457 except for the determination of the underbidder. I feel that lower price is a sustainable value for this awesome piece. 

UNCOMMON Vintage Halloween Broomed Witch Old Diecut Decoration, Germany 1920s

This broomed witch German diecut brought a very strong $81, due exclusively to three determined bidders. The differences in this diecut are subtle enough that lots of collectors, including me, would take a quick look and move on certain that it was already part of our collections. Thankfully, ziz did her normal exemplary job in fully describing "Cassandra" so that the price ended a fair amount above guide. 

Rare 1920's Die Cut Halloween Decoration Germany Little Girl Devil Demon Antique

It is so great to see such rare and desirable objects begin to populate Ebay's un-patrolled vintage Halloween category! This German mini-diecut is one of an exceedingly rare set that many of my collecting friends have been struggling to complete for years. (Others to this set can be seen on page 185.) The condition of this she-devil seems to be pretty darn good, so I expect bidding to continue to be fierce. The current price is $90, but I'll be surprised if this sells for less than $250-300. If you like this miniature-sized diecut set, don't let this one slip by. 

08/18 Update: This exceedingly rare mini-diecut brought $317.57, about where I expected it to finish. You don't see pieces from this set too often made available for purchase.