Many collectors may not know that Beistle slightly altered the design of this, the smallest of their Johnny Pumpkin family, for one season only. The version being sold in this lot has a folding side easel and the bottom of the piece does not have the typically appearing copyright symbol and the name Beistle. (Hence, this version is slightly shorter.) The overall color on these is always more orange than maroon. This version was only sold in an enveloped set of five with a stock number of 514. Interestingly, the illustration on the envelope shows the item as it normally appears, evidence of a shortcut Beistle took when recycling this design. Originally, this Johnny Pumpkin family first appeared in 1920. Only the smallest version was sold in subsequent years. I feel this version was sold as late as 1925.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
