This iconic Beistle game, produced from 1928-1931, is seldom seen in this near-mint condition. The witch’s hat is nearly always damaged in some way. Although there is a slight bend toward the top of the hat, this is still leagues ahead of what one normally finds when examining this game. Beistle produced two sizes of this game with a honeycomb base. The smaller one, measuring ~9” high, is seen much less often. It’ll be fun to see what this brings.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
VINTAGE HALLOWEEN EMPIRE BLOW MOLD SPOOKY HAUNTED HOUSE 13' - 1969 MINT COND
Vintage 1960s blow molds are yet another market segment that has seen steep climbs in value these past 18 months. This skewed perspective haunted house is one of the better designs. It’s hard to wrap my mind around the very real fact that these common items command such high values in today’s market.
VERY RARE VINTAGE 1923 BEISTLE HALLOWEEN FAIRY CLOCK ENVELOPE MADE IN U. S. A.
What treasures are coming to light! It must be that time of the year. Beistle was deservedly known as a firm that often took as much care in their packaging as with the items contained within. Many of their envelopes, like this one for their 1923 fairy clock, are works of art. Few of these envelopes survived, and those that did are typically found in the same condition as this one - rough. Even so, I expect this will do well. I’ll be monitoring…
09/21 Update: This sold for $405, not as well as I had expected.
Vintage Antique HALLOWEEN Party Invitation Ghost Pumpkin on Telephone RARE
It is great to see some quality small paper items surface on eBay. This is one of the best designed, enigmatic invitations Dennison produced. This first appeared in their 1922 Bogie Book. It was sold with stock number H83. One hasn’t surfaced in a while. What will it end up bringing? (By the way, I’m not a fan of reserves. This seller has placed a reserve on the listing that may dampen interest.)
09/19 Update: The ending price of $157.49 was surely lower than if the seller had just listed it for $9.99 with no reserve.
Vintage/Antique Over-the -head Mask Halloween
These over-the-head masks were first made in Germany during the teens. This one is particularly spooky, don’t you think? These were relatively expensive when first produced and tended to be sold at the “better” stores. Today, few have survived and the current price on this mask of $760 with 1+ days to go illustrates their desirability and scarceness.
09/19 Update: This scary item fetched $1,375!
RARE antique German Halloween die cut windowpane with witch vintage GREAT!
I’ve seen many examples of this diecut over the years. The condition of this one being sold by a knowledgeable and honest seller is in the top five of all those I have seen. Because these are so large they are prone to lots of surface paper cracking and typically have suffered the indignities of tape and multiple punctures. The description indicates this example has largely escaped those problems. The way the colors have mellowed on this one is pleasing. I hope this does well. It is heartening to see such a quality item amidst all the crapola that one has to wade through now since eBay changed their holiday categorization system.
New Lantern Design from Tim Ramzyk of Pulp Novelties!
Tim Ramzyk is nearing release of his latest fantastic creation, The Halloween Alley Cat! Just look at the craftsmanship! Tim tells me this lantern is his most ambitious to date, consisting of no less than seven separately molded pieces. He was able to craft this scary and unsettling feline even though the raw materials necessary to actually produce them were most costly and more elusive than ever.
This lantern proudly joins my collection of Tim’s limited edition releases he has been creating for the last several years. The detailed molding and coloration of the fur, the care to show its war-torn ears, the cleverly distinctive eyes and unbelievable realism of the mouth and fangs on this chilling lantern are, frankly, astounding. I plan to put it at eye level so my visitors will be a bit spooked.
Tim is a Wisconsin-based artist who meticulously and painstakingly hand molds his own designs from a heavy, durable material. I am in awe at the workmanship and the true craft Tim brings to pulp design. I proudly have seven of his treasures now on exhibit in my main display room. (For those who I've been lucky to host at my home, you know that in order for something to be placed in that room, it has to carry its own weight.)
Tim is offering The Halloween Alley Cat for $205 plus shipping, way too cheap for an item of this quality! He’ll begin selling them on Etsy on September 19th. As with all of his most recent lanterns they will be made in a limited number of small, handcrafted batches. When they are gone, they are gone. Do not miss out on the chance to have a limited edition piece of sculptural art from this great Wisconsin guy. The name of Tim’s Etsy shop is PulpNovelties. You can also contact him directly at pulpnovelties@aol.com.
For those who know me, you know that I rarely buy anything Halloween unless it is vintage. I've made an exception - and you should too. My advice is to place a pre-order with Tim now. I am privy to the number he plans to produce in his initial batch. That number compels me to repeat the advice - place a pre-order now. :)
Vintage 1930's Halloween WITCH's MYSTERY ANSWER GAME
Now, here’s a game I haven’t seen made available in a long time. Beistle produced this visually alluring item from 1933-1938. Given that it was in production for so long, one doesn’t often see them. The condition of this one is average compared to what will see when you do see one. This is a big item, so it was prone to sustaining bends and rips. Beistle’s first iteration is significantly harder to find. This elusive will-o-the-wisp has an off-white background but is otherwise the same. This first was produced from 1931-1932 and can be seen on page 15. I have never been able to secure one good enough for the collection. If you have one in very fine or better condition, you own a rarity.
Vintage Everything for Your Halloween Party Book Nell Spots Hats Nut Cups
I was asked recently if this Whitman publication has been reprinted. My answer was that I haven’t heard of any authorized or unauthorized reprints. The level of interest for this booklet has never been strong, so I don’t see the financial feasibility of an entity pursuing a reprinting.
09/11 Update: I was contacted by a reader, Mary R., who wrote to say this book has been reprinted. Here is what she wrote: “The "Everything for Your Halloween Party" book has indeed been reprinted. I bought a copy from Amazon a few years ago. As you said, the book is uninteresting. You can still look this up on Amazon and also read my review of it. I believe the Ebay seller of this item has a repro and I informed him/her of this.”
HALLOWEEN TAMBOURINE, VINTAGE HALLOWEEN NOISEMAKER
It’s great to see some surprising results in the tin litho segment. US Metal Toy recycled this graphic from several smaller form factor noisemakers they had produced. They s t r e t c h e d the graphic to “fit” the larger form factor called for with a tambourine, resulting in an item that isn’t too interesting. The stretching resulted in a 6” tambourine without a fixed appearance. (To see what I mean, check out page 216.) I think this was a short-lived product, produced in the early 1960s, accounting for its rarity today.
RARE Vintage Halloween Candy Container Grinning Cat on Pumpkin German Pre-War
The buyer of this fantastic candy container came by yesterday to show it to me. I think the seller’s photos, which didn’t accent the playful bee on the side of the cat or show the candy container in its best light, caused the price to descend to bargain territory. Frankly, the paint and detailing are top-notch. The size of the item is perfect and it is a wholly pleasing item overall. The price should have easily crested $1,000. A take-away here is critically look at the photos. If you feel details are left out or there can be better photos provided, ask for more.
Vintage Halloween Scarecrow Celluloid Viscoloid
Celluloid, especially those items produced by Viscoloid, have enjoyed a strong run-up in value over these last few years. (In fact, few vintage Halloween market segments have been spared the concerning run-up in value. As long stated, I worry about the hobby becoming the near-exclusive playground of the deep-pocketed.) This nice scarecrow suffers from a stomach ailment that any competent restorer can remedy with a little suction cup. I’d pay more attention to the sellers - two of the most knowledgeable (and generous with their knowledge) and fair-minded collectors I have the absolute pleasure to know. Be smart - add this seller to your list and watch what they offer. You will never go wrong with them.
09/19 Update: This sold for the relative bargain price of $197.50.
Very Rare VTG BEISTLE Orange SPIDER WEB Cobweb HALLOWEEN DIECUT 12X12" VTG 1950s
So, as this fine seller makes quite clear, the spider is missing. You can see the attachment area in the middle-lower-right section. Beistle produced this set for three short seasons during the 1950s. Ultimately, I think they were unsuccessful because of what you see here - the attachment goes missing. As I point out on page 158, given the extra labor involved to attach something to a flat paper surface and the very real prospect of that attachment getting bent up or falling off, I feel Beistle personnel threw up their hands and said, “Uncle!”
Vintage Halloween German JOL Pumpkin Ghost Paper Mache Candy Container GERMANY
I don’t feel this is a vintage item. Without the benefit of personal examination I can’t be sure, but nothing seems right about this item. I’ve never seen the JOL face. All of the ones I’ve seen have a ghost face that can be seen on page 62. The wear patterns seem off. The bottom opening is too small. Remember these items were attached to feet on a round wood base via a spring. The point would be to have them “dance” when tapped, so the opening at the bottom was all the way to the hem, not simply a rough hole like this one possesses.
Vintage Halloween Beistle Witch Near Mint 1950’s Large 18"
I’d say that when you look at the totality of Beistle’s Halloween output during the late 1950s, there are few stand-out items. Their creative gas tank was nearly on E. The trio of oddly captivating witches that this diecut belongs to is the definite exception to the lethargy Beistle brought to the marketplace back then. All are large, printed on slightly thinner stock and have irregular borders. (All can be seen on page 159.) Any of the trio is frustratingly difficult to find in near-mint or better condition. It took me nearly 30 years to get such examples, so these in that condition surface rarely. If you love quirky Beistle designs, don’t let this diecut escape. This fine seller has one more from the trio listed at this time, too.
