Blog

Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.

Halloween Handled Small Tea Cup with Saucer Germany 1908-1932 JOL Face

Over the three decades I’ve been collecting vintage Halloween, various market segments have waxed and waned. Prices for tin have decreased with occasional signs of life. Germany candy containers still bring strong dollars but nothing like they used to bring. ( I suspect this downtrend for such items will continue.) Lanterns by and large have also lost luster. On the other side of the ledger, early Beistle, Dennison and Gibson products have sizzled. Small paper (invitations, place cards and tally cards) has had a phenomenal rise as have German porcelain items. This cup and saucer result is the latest indicator of the health of this market segment. The realized price is near 100% more than it would have been 2-3 years ago. I suspect these same segments will continue to weaken and strengthen as the first generation of collectors, who specialized in what are now the weaker segments, ride off into the sunset.

Vtg 1916 HALLOWEEN LANTERN DEVIL SKULL OWL BLACK CAT Knorpp Candy Co Brooklyn

It seems I haven’t seen one of these desirable four-sided lanterns being offered for auction in a while. Produced by the Knorpp Candy Company with a patent date of July 11, 1916, it was marketed as a Four in One Lantern. The imagery isn’t very complex, yet it resonates long after you see the four unique sides. Knorpp also issued four tiaras with each replicating one of the lantern’s four sides. Given the rough condition of this example, I am surprised it received a bid at the opening price. To see the one in the collection, the envelope and one of the tiaras, please turn to page 128.

Antique Halloween Diadem/Tiara with JOL Maid and Black Cats

This German tiara is in exceptional condition. Given how they were meant to be used, this is surprising. The Germans made twelve designs comprising a full set during the 1920s. They were marketed as diadems, although tiara has become the way in which these kinds of items are referenced. All designs are rare. Some designs have more oomph to them. In my view this one, the pirate JOL, the cat in a feathered hat and the owl trio are the best.

VINTAGE RARE HALLOWEEN MYSTERY ANSWER BOARD GAME ~ PRECURSOR TO OUIJA BOARD -HTF

I haven’t seen one of these being offered for some time. Beistle produced two variants of this item’s sibling that were both marketed as Witch’s Mystery Answer Games. The much rarer one of these was produced in 1931 and has a white background. (I have yet to find one to add to the collection.) The more common version was produced beginning in 1933 and has an orange background. (Except for a very slight size difference, these two are otherwise identical.) As an interim item, this noticeably smaller Mystery Answer Board was produced only in 1932. They are rare. The condition of the one offered for auction seems to be quite good, although I wish the seller would have included a full picture of the item’s reverse. This is such an eye-catching and desirable item that I expect bidding to be fierce. If you don’t have this and collect Beistle, this is a “must have” item.

Vintage Halloween German Childrens Tea Pot Jol

I suspect this is a teapot made not in Germany but in Japan. Some of the reasons are its knobby surface to both the pot and its lid, the dark-hued orange, the overly large eyes, the uncolored/unglazed lid bottom and the clumsy, hurried paint to the end of the spout.

09/15 Update: Given that I feel confident this is a teapot made in Japan, not Germany, the buyer overpaid by forking over $515.05.

Irrational Exuberance

Alan Greenspan famously asked the following in 1996: “But how do we know when irrational exuberance has unduly escalated asset values…”? Below are three examples of irrational exuberance. I am more than willing to sell pieces identical to these from my collection to anyone willing to pay such prices!

sold159.PNG
sold160.PNG
sold161.PNG

Amazing Old Paper die cut 21" Jointed Halloween Pumpkin Jack O Lantern Man

This Halloween Elf diecut was produced by Beistle sometime between 1923 and 1932. They issued two styles, the male seen here - larger with an extra foliage band - and a female, both sold in one envelope. Non-collectors sometimes ask me why vintage Halloween items are so pricey. My standard response is that back when such treasures as this were being produced few people kept anything after a party. Most everything was tossed. The items not tossed were often used year after year, much as I suspect this elf was. Consequently, on a scale relative to Christmas decorations, few items survived and those that did are generally in crummy condition. When near-mint items surface, sometimes the prices go to lofty levels that may not be seen again in years, if ever. These purchased items disappear into collections perhaps not to see the light of the secondary market again for a long time.

09/10 Update: This brought $207.50.

Vintage Mid 1900s Halloween Paper Mache Witch

This rare pulp witch candy holder is a challenge to find in collectible condition for reasons that escape me. I added one to the collection during the last year when I saw one in great, although imperfect condition. (I had resisted acquiring one as condition was always problematic.) The seller neglects to mention height. This is impressively sized at ~8.25” high and makes a great display item.

09/08 Update: Glad to see this fine pulp figural brought $321.

Dennison Vintage Halloween Spooky Candle Die Cut

Although the seller should ditch the dizzying background, she is offering a few nice things, including this Dennison table decoration, which first appeared in their 1927 Party Magazine. Dennison produced so many intricate designs during their heyday that selecting their best is hard. Arguably, this is near the top of their output in terms of creativity and sheer brilliance. It has long been one of my favorite items. Many people agree since the bidding is already up to $150.50 with four days remaining.