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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.

Vintage Halloween 1920's Gibson Dancing Cat Centerpiece with Original Envelope

You know the season is upon us when great items like this pop up on Ebay. This Gibson interlocking table decoration was made in the later 1920s. Typically, these kinds of items are missing one or more of the "end hooks." This looks to be complete and in awesome condition. These typically trade for around $175. 

09/05 Update: It seems that this is the year for pre-1935 Beistle, Dennison and Gibson table decorations and diecuts. Prices have surged this season. This great centerpeice fence fetched $237.50. 

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. 

1920s Beistle vintage Johnny Pumpkin w/owl 11 in. stand up Halloween decoration

I hope to see many more Johnny Pumpkin iterations listed this season, as I've always liked them. The seller has pointed out several condition issues with this item. Here are two more: The protrusion at the top of the head is missing. Although not always part of the design, it was with this particular one. Also, this item has had its fair share of sun, or exposure to light, as it is quite faded. If you want to see a nice assortment of Johnny Pumpkin designs, check out pages 122-124 of my newly published third edition. 

08/06 Update: Even with numerous condition issues, this item fetched $45.77, a very strong result! 

RARE Boogie house for Ghosts and spooks box Halloween 1950's

This fantastic item looks complete to me. It wasn't designed to have a bottom as I feel it was made to fit over a box of candy, probably made by Brach's. David is wise not to fold it up, since these were not designed to be done and undone. I bought mine flat, folded it once, and now it serenely sits in one of my many display cases. 

Thanks for the shout-out about my new edition!

07/30 Update: This neat, fragile item brought $81, slightly below guide. 

MINT MIP Vintage 1960s Halloween BLACK CAT Decoration in Package

Given Ebay's somewhat new but definitely annoying policy of not showing the final price when a Buy-It-Now offer is accepted, we'll never know ​what this jointed diecut actually fetched, but let's assume around $40. This is a Japanese reprint of an original Beistle design that could have been made during the 1970s or 1980s. This has little true value and certainly nothing approaching our assumed $40 price. As collectors, be aware of packaging. This item's packaging has Japan indicated on the lower right portion of the banner. When you see such an indication, know that by and large you are looking at a reprint that may be fun to decorate with, but doesn't belong in a vintage collection. 

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.