This seller must feel he/she has stumbled upon a rare noisemaker as it is being offered for $49.99. This item was manufactured by U.S. Metal Toy sometime during the early 1960s. All of the major manufacturers were using plastic handles by that time as they were cheaper than the previously used material, wood. I've always liked the winsome design of this tin litho item. These typically trade for ~$20.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
1932 DENNISON's HALLOWEEN PICE LIST CATALOG
I eagerly awaited the end of this auction, as I've been searching for Dennison Price List pamphlets from any point in the 1930s for decades. Prior to this listing, I had never seen one from 1932, one of only two years during which Dennison did not publish a Bogie Book or one of their similarly titles annual publications. I put in a very high bid, wanting this to fill in some gaps in my knowledge of just what Dennison actually offered during this time, what stock numbers they used, etc. I was pleasantly surprised to scoop up this valuable and uber-rare pamphlet for a mere $10.50! I received it today and it is, frankly, better than I expected.
2 VTG GERMAN HALLOWEEN DIE CUT CARDBOARD SQUEAKERS - 2 SIDED DEVIL & CAT FACES
There is some controversy over just how old these designs really are. Blumchen's imported these in the 1990s along with similar but smaller squeakers on painted sticks. Although I do feel these are somewhat earlier, they don't date any older than sometimes in the 1960s, so bid accordingly.
07/14 Update: These items brought $104.49, a strong price considering the controversy over just how old they really are.
WONDERFUL 1930's "LARGE" HALLOWEEN GERMAN BLACK CAT ON PUMKIN DIE CUT-EMBOSSED
This large German diecut, made during the early 1930s, is not often found in this stellar condition. The colors are rich and the embossing appears to be quite deep. Although these surface with great regularity, this may be the diecut with which you can buy anew or buy to upgrade. RSIN = 4. Sustainable guide value is ~$150.
07/14 Update: This brought a strong $202.49. Even though guide value was greatly surpassed, when might you see another in such pristine condition?
VINTAGE HALLOWEEN DENNISON'S RARE EX-LARGE CATALOG WITH REAL SIZE DECORATIONS
This is a wonderful item, showing some rare Dennison creations available almost certainly in the early 1930s. Because these are not actual diecuts but instead printed images comprising a salesman sample, to display them is impractical. It is for this reason that I wasn't a bidder. For me, the value of this listing comes from the data imparted by the inclusion of stock numbers on each page.
1920's Vintage German Halloween Large Jointed Skeleton VERY FINE!!!
One hot sub-genre seems to be German skeleton diecuts. I've noticed a rapid increase in what these jointed items bring over the last year. This is the second largest version, measuring 36" high. The largest, profoundly impactful, measures ~50" high. I've only seen the largest version a handful of times.
STUNNING All-Original Vintage Halloween Medium-Size Jack o Lantern Germany 1920s
It is nice to see such a clean, near-perfect German JOL on Ebay!
Vintage Halloween Pumpkin Face Ring Game
I learned something from this listing. There seemed to be differences between this game and the one in the collection, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what they were. So, I went on an expedition through my displays trying to find the game so I could compare one to the other. The one in the collection is an earlier version than the one in the listing. The former's last patent date is February, 1, 1927 and there is verbiage that others are pending. The latter's last patent date is September 6, 1927 and the verbiage about pending patent dates is missing. The differences between the two versions are interesting: * The rubber plugs are attached to the box bottom by pushing out (I assume) perforated discs on the box bottom, whereas in the earlier version they are glued to the box bottom. * The rubber rings are red versus black. * The instructional verbiage inside the lid includes assembly instructions, logically missing from the earlier version. They also replace "five" with "5" and other such substitutions.
Now, does this affect value? I'd say no, because from a presentation perspective the very real differences don't amount to much. How much more common is one version from the other? I'd love to know that. Having never realized that there were at least two versions, I've never really paid attention, but will from now on. READERS: If you have this game, please check which version you have and contact me with that information.
1933 Vintage Halloween Mask - Sunshine Bakers Promotion
This is certainly an odd item. Prior to viewing this listing, I had never seen a Beistle marketing tie-in. Did they actually license Sunshine Bakers to stamp their verbiage on the reverse, or was this something done without formal permission? Were these JOL masks purchased in large quantities from a wholesaler like Shackman's? Beistle, like so many firms back then, didn't keep meticulous records. Hence, it is near impossible to definitively answer questions like these. Even their vaunted archives really are just a few filing drawer cabinets haphazardly storing items thrown in without a great deal of thought.
The mask, in and of itself, is rare. Given the verbiage on the back, this item becomes even more rare. I was distressed by the condition, so never considered bidding, but in my estimation the buyer got a good deal.
1920's Vintage German Halloween Crecent moon and owl die cut Near Mint!
Although this diecut's RSIN is 3, it isn't often that you find one in this great condition. I don't know this seller, but he seems to have many diecuts available. I'd make an offer of $175-190 if you need this one for your collection.
VINTAGE 1930's HALLOWEEN Salesman Sample Page with Die-Cut Jack O-Lantern + More
This is the kind of listing that I look for to add to my knowledge base. I had long wondered which firm had made these diecuts. The examples I've seen never have any marks, so I've always speculated. This salesman sample from 1936 does answer the question of maker: the American Colortype Company of Chicago, Illinois. Yah!!
1930'S Halloween Tally Table Bridge Card Volland
I love this cleverly designed tally card. This was made by Volland in the mid-1920s. The company merged with Gerlach Barklow in 1924, moving the operation from Chicago to Joliet. They were out of business by 1933.
1930's Dennison Halloween Skull and Crossbones Die cut MINT!!
I'm so glad to see this rare diecut finally getting some collector love! This non-embossed diecut, made by Dennison and first appearing in their 1929 Price List pamphlet, wasn't made for many seasons. The paper stock on which it was printed was thin, so finding one in near-mint or better condition is a coup.
1930'S "SCARCE" HALLOWEEN BEACH & ARTHUR PAPER PLATE. WONDERFUL GRAPHICS N MINT
Wow! Three bidders, intent on adding this fine plate to their collections, drove the bidding into the stratosphere to an entirely unsustainable $123.50. I am happy for the seller, but would counsel the underbidders to bide their time. These plates show up regularly, and typically fetch $30-40. A bit of advice to newer collectors: understand the relative scarcity of the items on which you are bidding. If something is common, seldom bid over guide value as another will surface in one forum or another. Try not to overpay as the prevailing bidder here most definitely did.
1930's Halloween tin litho slide whistle Hoarder's estate #179
When I was a new collector I saw these fairly regularly. Times sure have changed! I haven't seen one being offered for sale for quite some time. The RSIN for this now is 2, with a sustainable guide value of $150. Kirchhof made this nicely designed slider in the early 1930s. I can't think of similarly designed tin litho noisemakers, so if you don't have this yet in your collection, this item looks to be in collectible condition.
06/27 Update: It is surprising that this didn't fetch more, at $108.05. As referenced above, they don't surface as much as they once did. Guide value is $150, so the buyer got a bargain.
