Blog

Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.

Rare Lg Johnny Pumpkin Head Halloween Die-Cut by Beistle

I am glad to see these very odd Beistle creations finally getting their day in the sun. Beistle issued several different sizes from 1919-1921. A very nice and representative selection is shown on pages 122-124. Here is some of the text describing the Johnny Pumpkin decorations from my new third edition: 
Beistle issued the family in these formally designated sizes, all non-embossed on flat stock, medium weight cardboard: five inch, eight inch, eleven inch, sixteen inch and twenty inch, although there are variations to size of as much as one and one-quarter inch with nearly all of them. The smallest size was made for several seasons more than all of the others. This smallest size had three iterations and was generally sold in envelopes with quantities ranging from five to ten per envelope. This size is commonly seen today. The other sizes are much less common with this proviso: the bigger they get the harder they are to find.
Beistle didn’t take great care in differentiating designs within sizes. Sometimes the differences are obvious but sometimes the differences are just a matter of how much neck line, or lace or collar shows. Beistle was seemingly not prepared for the success of this line and cranked them out with limited quality control relative to exactly how the designs by size were replicated. This becomes more obvious the more examples one gathers together to compare.

RARE Vintage Halloween German Children's Teaset JOL porcelain CREAMER 1908-1932

When I first saw this result I thought the price was surprisingly low - until I read the very full description. Pieces from the large and compelling tea sets issued by the Germans are very much in demand right now, so given the noticeable chip at the rim, I feel this piece brought top dollar. A very nice array of pieces from the trio of differently sized sets can be seen in my newly published third edition on pages 119-121. 

Vintage Paper Halloween Die Cut Jack-O-Lantern Swag 7 pieces-xL,Large, Med, sm

This set is exceedingly rare but, at base, pretty dull. This Jack-O-Lantern Swag Decoration set was issued by Dennison in 1935. It almost certainly wasn't a barn-burner item as Dennison didn't issue it anew after that year. As with virtually all of their diecut output from this period, the reverse sides are a bright yellow. Dennison was disciplined about marking their wares, although an unmarked item slipped through from time to time. Looking at the color of the reverse can be a useful guide when determining which firm produced a diecut. 

Beistle Tango Witch Halloween Decoration

I know the sellers were astonished at this ending price - as am I. Given the fully disclosed poor condition of the item, this ending price is wholly unsustainable. If you look at the bidding history, you'll see that the bidding would have leveled off at a reasonable $150, again given the item's poor condition, if not for two bidders who wished to own it at such a stratospheric price against all reason. Ebay sure is an odd place! Sometimes treasures go for a song while problematic items bring dollars they shouldn't. 

Complete ANTIQUE 1920'S Vintage BEISTLE Halloween ENVELOPE w/ DECORATIONS NM

Beistle issued three iterations of this Party Set in 1923. The most common takes the form of a booklet, less common is the enveloped set, like the one this seller has listed, and the least common is the boxed set. All are desirable, especially with complete, mint contents. I feel this set is an iconic "must have" if one collects Beistle from this era - as it is representative of their fairy mania phase that lasted only a single season. 

Vintage Halloween Noise Maker

This tin litho noisemaker is not a vintage item. They were sold for 1-2 seasons through Restoration Hardware about 5 years ago. They have zero collectible value. Don't be fooled. 

09/22 Update: Unfortunately, somebody was fooled to the tune of $28.50. 

1935 Full Size Dangling Skeleton & Envelope by Beistle

This seems to be the year of Beistle. Prices for many vintage items issued by this still-going-strong American company have been in the stratosphere so far this season, and there is no reason to expect that will not remain the same for this combo. Although the envelope surfaces regularly, seldom does it do so in this condition. Listen, the envelope is large and easy to ruin, accounting for how relatively few of them that still exist in this condition from 1935. Guide value is $175 but I won't be at all surprised if this brings significantly more dollars than this - given that this seems to be Beistle's season to really shine. (I sure am glad that I have specialized in collecting this company's output for several decades.) 

09/22 Update: The forecast was correct - this combo brought a strong $256.77. 

vintage Paper Halloween Die Cut witch&Cauldron,Black Cat-candy container

I feel pieces to this set of six have never gotten the respect they should from the marketplace. These are whimsical, cleverly designed slot-and-tab candy containers issued by the General Merchandise Company in the middle 1940s through the very early 1950s. Although not at all truly rare, you still don't often see them in this seemingly pristine condition. To see the others that comprise a complete set, turn to page 54 of my newly published third edition.