Here is another result that beggars belief. This 12-panel lantern is very common. It surfaces regularly. The sustainable value is in the $300s, so the prevailing bidder paid a substantial premium. My theory is that there has been a large influx of new collectors into our fun hobby who have a weak grasp of value and rarity. Combine that with assumed deep pockets and the result is a spate of values that might not be seen again. I just hope in the meantime that collectors don’t forego the hobby for one that isn’t so pricey.
Now, there is another theory that I’ve spoken to several close collecting friends about. I’ve been a collector of vintage Halloween for nearly 40 years and have seen the valuation phenomenon that I call plateaus and spikes. Prices remain at largely one level for years until there is a spike affecting many market segments at once. The first spike I noticed was in 1992 for reasons that I can’t explain. 1995/6 was another spike, probably due to the publication of two references - one by Schneider and the other, quite a good one, by Campanelli, in 1995. Another spike happened in 2004 soon after my first edition was published and again in 2007 and 2014. The memorable spike in 2020 I place at the doorstep of COVID. Is this another sustainable spike we’re seeing in 2025 or a passing fad driven by hell-bent new collectors?
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
