This is obviously an escapee from a junior high art class. Send her back to the depths of hell!
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
RARE! Set of 10 Different Vintage Germany Halloween Skittles Skittle Game Pieces
This is not a complete set of skittles. The arched-back cats are duplicates and the walking witch skittle is missing.
These were game pieces made in Germany during the 1920s in great quantities. They are commonly seen today, yet routinely bring in the $50-75 range.
Brach's halloween HAUNTED HOUSE 1950s monster playset store display candy box
I was able to purchase a mint example of this box about 6 months ago on Ebay for ~$90, so this seller is dreaming if he thinks anyone would fork over $249.99 for something that needs such top-to-bottom restoration.
New Items Added to the "For Sale" Section
Check out the great items I listed just now...
Vintage Beistle Elves Fairies Halloween Party Hat, Honeycomb 1920’s
Whereas many things sold immediately after Halloween went for a pittance, a few items, like this one, brought strong results. The unifying theme of the stronger results is that the items tended to be manufactured by Beistle. Beistle made a set of these fairy-themed hats in 1923. When they surface in conditions similar to this one, they do bring top dollar. Sustainable guide value is $250.
Antique JACK-O-LANTERN HALLOWEEN LAMP LIGHT HONEYCOMB CAT WITCH PUMPKIN !!!
This ending price, half of sustainable guide value, must surely be attributed to the doldrums of an immediate post-Halloween time frame.
Vintage ca. 1960 Beistle Halloween Kit
The very high reserve price was met only because the prevailing bidder, a good friend of mine, wanted this badly as it rekindled a childhood memory of her mother purchasing an identical decorating kit. Except for this serendipitous circumstance for the seller, this surely wouldn't have met reserve, languishing well below half of the ending price.
5 Paper Mache Halloween Lanterns German Jack-o-Lantern Clown Devils Skeleton
With the possible exception of the leftward-most JOL, these are all fantasy items, made beginning in the middle 1990s and exported from Germany. They have deceived many collectors. Don't be one of them!
Rare Vintage Germany Die Cut Embossed Halloween Stand-Up Black Face Jack O
This is a great diecut in very clean condition, BUT it is being offered at too high of a price. The opening bid is $500 for an item with a sustainable guide value hundreds below that figure. I wish that more sellers would simply trust the auction system, offering items with low starting prices and with no reserves.
Box of VINTAGE 1920's Dennison HALLOWEEN Acorn Face HALLOWE'EN Gummed Seals
Although this is a rare and desirable set of 1926 Dennison seals, the ending price was the result of a spirited bidding war amongst three people. The sustainable guide value is $150, so quite a premium was paid for the prevailing bidder to add to their collection.
VINTAGE HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN MUSICIANS COMPOSITION GERMANY 1925
I'm so glad to see that this listing finally sold - if for no other reason that this seller listed and relisted the set for at least three years. Surely one of the reasons it took the seller so long to dispose of this set is because she was asking a very high price for items in not very good condition. I can't say that the buyer got a very good deal, but collectively we all did, as this listing has finally been put to rest.
Old Vintage Halloween Diecut Die Cut Out Cardboard Witch EATS Sign Dennison 1930
This rare Dennison diecut was available for only two seasons beginning in 1930. The sub-genre of arrowed party sign diecuts is a small but desirable one I enjoy collecting. This is a compelling item as it has plenty of color and a not-so-unfriendly looking witch, so typical of Dennison's softer look during this time. Sustainable guide value for one in mint condition is $185.
Even given its less than perfect condition, the prevailing bidder got a steal scooping this up for a mere $89.
Happy Halloween!
This season has just whirled by much too quickly!
2014 seems to be the year of Beistle! Their items from the Golden Age have been routinely bringing jaw-dropping prices. I don't feel the prices are sustainable, but the sellers have certainly enjoyed offering their wares over these last several months.
If you haven't picked up a copy of my fully revised and greatly expanded third edition of Vintage Halloween Collectibles, don't wait too long. Copies are available either directly from me for $45 including shipping or indirectly from me through Amazon for $49.99 plus shipping. I do all the fulfillment. The book is not available in stores and will not be discounted. Reviews have been great - check them out for yourself on Amazon.
Have a Happy Halloween! MBL
Link To An Article On Halloween Collecting - Vice.Com
I was recently contacted by a writer for vice.com, Giaco Furino, wanting to learn more about vintage Halloween collectibles. I gave him the names of some esteemed collectors and answered his excellent questions myself. Giaco published his article this morning. Below is a link to the piece. Happy reading!
http://www.vice.com/read/these-people-spend-thousands-on-vintage-halloween-decorations
1950s Halloween Jack-o-Lantern Die-cut Cardboard with 2 Faces Alberts Novelty Co
The seller is being very optimistic in offering this as a BIN for $69.95. When valuing items, you must adjust for condition. On a typical day with this lantern in mint condition, sustainable guide value is $30. Given this lantern's condition, with an unfortunate crease across one side, I don't see that this should reasonably fetch more than a single Jackson.
