The horn is not a vintage one - but one made to look as if it has some age to it. It looks like something produced by Bethany Lowe or firms of that ilk. Don’t be fooled…
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Contact Page Problems
Hello Readers,
I discovered this morning that the Contact page wasn’t working, in that if you sent me an email through the site I wasn’t receiving it. I don’t know how long that was the case, but I’m guessing several weeks. I worked with my site’s host’s customer support unit this morning and the issue was solved. So, if you sent a message and were left wondering why I hadn’t responded, that was the reason. Happy Thanksgiving!
BEISTLE HONEYCOMB CAT FACE CONTINENTAL HAT WITH PLUME RARE 1925-31 WITH STRAP
This desirable Beistle continental hat was produced from 1925-1931. Although these surface from time to time, seldom do they do so in such awesome condition. The companion hat to it is shown on page 238. Although the seller may have started it too high, you will rarely have an opportunity to do business with such a seller: knowledgeable and eminently trustworthy.
Vintage Gibson Halloween Black Cat Tally Cards
The buyer of this lot of two Gibson tallies got a bargain. Both are visually appealing, colorful and large. The full-bodied cat looking back is the better of the two. It is rarely seen, especially in collectible condition. That tally alone should have brought $60. This is another example of the perils of using the Buy-It-Now feature when not specializing in what is being sold.
Vintage "Halloween Parade" E. Rosen Rosbro Plastic Cat Pushing Pumpkin on Wheels
The seller has posted this for $899.99. Good luck!
RARE! Skeleton Halloween Lantern Trick or Treat Basket Original Paper Insert
I used to see more of these than I have recently. These were reproduced in the later 1990s and after, but these reproductions are easy to identify. The truly vintage slot and tab skull lanterns will always have this tan toning to the surface whereas the new ones are very white. Please keep this in mind if you see this lantern design for sale online or in shops.
Large HALLOWEEN FLYING WITCH W BIRD STARS Germany Embossed Paper Diecut H10
Even given the fair amount of surface paper missing this German windowpane diecut brought less than I would have expected. This design is one of four comprising a full set, all being roughly the same size. (Some of the cottage industries producing these windowpanes trimmed the borders some. As long as the trimming doesn’t touch the central image, there is generally no diminution of value.)
Happy Halloween!
Well, another Halloween season has nearly concluded. What a wild ride it has been with record prices for paper - small paper, German diecuts, USA diecuts, table decorations, games, etc.. The prices have been high enough that I do worry about the average collector - the life blood of all hobbies - being priced out.
Other segments like hard plastic and blow molds have stayed strong, whereas I’ve seen softening with lanterns and candy containers. Tin overall has strengthened some.
I expect to see many more lanterns and candy containers come to market as the first generation of collectors, who typically specialized in these genres, die off.
I expect to see continued strengthening in the paper segments as there is just not much of this in collectible condition to be found.
I’ll have a great array of vintage Halloween lots for my annual May auction - open only to those who have purchased a copy of my third edition directly from me.
Have a Happy Halloween!
MBL
Vintage Halloween German Minature Tea Set Cup Saucer Early 1900s
Given the condition, especially the very prominent chip, this German porcelain saucer should never have ended at this lofty valuation.
Vintage Original Beistle / H.E. Luhrs Halloween Decorations Tabletop decor, Hang
There are so many wonderful things in this lot that the seller did themselves a real disservice by lumping everything together. The table top Beistle witch with the black honeycomb skirt is exceedingly rare. I think this may be only the second time I’ve seen one. In my opinion, that alone would have gotten close to the ending price for the lot if it had been offered separately.
vintage HALLOWEEN place card circa 1920s hold to light black cat
This is a wonderfully rare example of a hold-to-light place card, produced by an unknown manufacturer during the 1920s. These are rare enough that I only added one to the collection a few years ago. The buyer got a bargain at $137.50.
SCARCE Vintage Halloween Horn Noisemaker Decoration, USA, Patented 1921, WORKS!!
I am certain that the seller, a true delight, is over the moon with this result. The buyer shouldn’t be in that celebratory of a mood, though, as they vastly overpaid. This horn surfaces frequently enough that I’m surprised there were 5 bidders who had a hand in driving the ending price up to such an unsustainable level. The one in the collection is in significantly better condition. Anyone who wants it for $450 plus shipping is welcome to it.
Vintage Fortune Telling Game In Sealed Package
No matter how much some collectors might want this to be considered a Halloween item, it isn’t.
Vintage W & F Quality Novelties Wax Party Candy Box Pumpkins 1949 Store Display
Extant boxes really add to the knowledge of when items were released and how they were marketed. W&F was the corporate precursor to the Gurley Candle Company. This seems to be from around 1949. The graphics are more lively than other W&F boxes I’ve seen. This is a box I’ve not seen before.
Antique Trader Cover Article
The venerable publication, Antique Trader, devotes most of its current edition to vintage Halloween collectibles with a fun article written by Kris Manty on my collection and how it began. The issue’s date is October 23, 2019. I just subscribed and encourage you to check an issue out on-line. Take the plunge and subscribe to one of the few survivors of the genre of collectibles magazines that were all the rage through the 1990s.