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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.

Vintage Halloween Beistle Owl Tell Your Fortune Game

This is an extraordinary result for a somewhat common fortune and stunt game in this condition. These nicely designed games were issued by Beistle from 1955-1961. In unused condition, these typically fetch around $100, so someone really wanted this well-used item. As in nearly all such instances, this result came about by just two determined bidders. If you look at the bidding history, these two ratcheted the price up between them to this level, certainly making the surprised seller ecstatic. 

Antique 1920s J Chein & Company Cat Head Tambourine Hard To Find

This tambourine is in pretty rough shape, so I am surprised someone was willing to pay $225 for it. Sustainable guide value for one in near-mint condition is $250, and this one is in fair to good condition only. Especially when buying tin items, condition matters. These were made in great quantities during the 1920s, and even though that was a long time ago, many are still around that would display better than this one. If you are going to pay top dollar, insist on top quality. 

1920 Toy German jol Pumpkin Halloween Jack In Box Antique Big Mache Old Chaplin

I seriously doubt that this item was made as a unit in the 1920s. The box was made around that time but the item inside doesn't appear to be old. It is too bright, and lacks all of the characteristics of an authentic German item. In my judgment, this is a married item with no collectible value. I think the larger collecting community realized this, hence the ending price, a paltry amount if this would have been the real deal. 

Vintage U.S. Metal Toy Mfg. Co. Witch Cat Halloween noisemaker

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. 

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. 

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.