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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.

MINT Large Vintage Halloween Paper Party Plate Decoration Beach & Arthur 1930s!

This has been an interesting year to watch market trends. One segment that, inexplicably to this collector, has risen rapidly is the Beach & Arthur plate segment. This lot that ended on 5.21.23 for $216.07 was far below what an identical plate offered by the same seller brought just three weeks earlier, $353. This is the correct trajectory as the market is reacting to perceived abundance. If other identical plates are listed, the prices should continue to drop. (Interestingly, this seller listed a plate with an identical design but with a different size, 6”x6” rather than 8”x8”, that also fetched an eye-popping yet unsustainable sum of $233.05 on 5.14.23.)
Plates aren’t rare. They were made by the tens of thousands and sold 6-12 to a pack. So, a good practice to adopt is to ask sellers if they have duplicates they plan to list. If so, wait. If one is too eager, they will almost always overpay.

Vintage Halloween Paper Plate USA

When I think of all the many market segments that comprise the universe of vintage Halloween collecting, I often forget about plates. Most plates, especially those by Reed, don’t fetch much, but one manufacturer stands well above the others - Beach & Arthur. Plates by that firm have been fetching very strong dollars for some 2-3 years now. Their designs tend to be unusual and creatively use colors not typically associated with Halloween like yellow and red. The plate listed is one of the more tame designs and has some staining. Even so, I expect the final result will escalate beyond the initial bid of $9.99.

10/17 Update: The plate sol for $38.99.

Vintage Halloween Nut Candy Party Cup Containers Lot 3 ea. Black Cat Witch

Beach & Arthur products, especially their plates, have been desired items for several years. Their design sensibilities were far better honed than their competitors like Tuttle or Reed. Whereas the latter made a dizzying array of party basics like napkins, plates and cups, their designs are largely forgettable. Beach & Arthur, on the other hand, had a stable of artists that sought to differentiate their products - and succeeded in doing so. 

RARE 1933 HALLOWEEN PAPER CUP w handle BEACH & ARTHUR SCARECROW PUMPKINS

Beach & Arthur of Indianapolis, Indiana made some of the most coveted party plates. Collectors love them due to their imaginative art and density of imagery. (To see some nice examples, please refer to pages 298-299.) Less known but just as exquisite are their other paper products like handled party cups. This listing is a good example of their output. 

1930'S "SCARCE" HALLOWEEN BEACH & ARTHUR PAPER PLATE. WONDERFUL GRAPHICS N MINT

Wow! Three bidders, intent on adding this fine plate to their collections, drove the bidding into the stratosphere to an entirely unsustainable $123.50. I am happy for the seller, but would counsel the underbidders to bide their time. These plates show up regularly, and typically fetch $30-40. A bit of advice to newer collectors: understand the relative scarcity of the items on which you are bidding. If something is common, seldom bid over guide value as another will surface in one forum or another. Try not to overpay as the prevailing bidder here most definitely did.