It is refreshing to see such a rare item on eBay at this time of year when pickings are mighty slim. This diecut is, I feel, one of the designs originally exported only to Canada in 1935, and is exceedingly rare. The one shown on page 171 is from another collection. I only acquired one for the collection sometime around 2018 - thirty long years after I began collecting. The one up on eBay now is faded and has several condition issues, but when might you see one again? (This is a time when rarity overtakes condition.) I feel this little gem is worth north of $500.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Incredibly Rare Vintage Halloween Waving Jack O' Lantern Die-cut Germany 1920's
This seller listed four items with stratospheric opening prices. When I saw them while enjoying the wilds of Montana, I felt that only one would sell - and that one did. This seller had two German diecuts (skull and crossbones with hat and a black melon with transparency) that typically fetch below $1,200 with an opening price of $3,499 and $4,299, respectively. The third item was the Beistle skeleton-in-graveyard diecut with an opening ask of what would be a record price - $4,099. (I sold one in my 2024 auction for the still-valid public record price of $3,700.) However, when I saw this waving JOL I knew someone would buy it. The record price for this item was set several years ago for ~$6,600 - and that example was inferior in condition than this fantastic item.) It will be interesting to see if this seller relists the three with opening asks more in line with the market.
Vintage Halloween 4" Metal Round Noisemaker Crow Cat Germany Very Old Rare
The seller definitely made a mistake in offering this rare German tin litho noisemaker for $198.95 or Best Offer. (Whomever stumbled across this listing didn’t even bother to make an offer, but wisely scooped it up for the too-low offer price.) The form of the noisemaker is odd in that the main cylinder is bare with only the two ends having any imagery - spare as it is. This guy was probably produced sometime between 1930-1935. I’ve never seen it before. The Germans didn’t produce that much Halloween tin litho - and the market coverts it. I feel if the seller had simply started it at $198.95 under an auction format it would have fetched no less than double what it did.
DRGM Devil with Pitchfork Halloween Crank Noisemaker Germany 1930-40's
This rare German crank noisemaker is one I’ve not seen before. It was almost certainly produced sometime from 1930-1935 for export. The DRGM mark was used through 1949 but the Germans pivoted from using metal for these export items around 1935 to accommodate their expansionist policies that resulted in WWII. The ending price is fully justified. Very nice item, indeed!
VINTAGE 1920’S GERMAN HALLOWEEN DIECUT - JACK O’LANTERN WITH HAIR!
Why has this wonderful German diecut not sold in the hours it has been on eBay? The price is fair and the sellers are fantastic people. I like how they mention it has a matte finish, as some German diecuts have a glazed finish. I prefer the latter but it generally makes no difference as to value.
UNCOMMON Antique Vintage Halloween Cat Diecut Decoration Germany, 1920s!!
This is a rare and desirable diecut, indeed. Don’t confuse this with its smaller cousins. This is a honker of a diecut - measuring over 19” high! The immediate tip-off that this is a rare seated cat German diecut is the wide mouth full of what appears to be razor-sharp teeth. This design nearly always includes an easel. It makes an eye-catching display.
ANTIQUE GERMAN HALLOWEEN JACK-O-LANTERN PUMPKIN TIN TOY TWO FACED NOISE MAKER
The Germans didn’t produce a great number of tin holiday designs during the 1930s, the decade this was issued, due to constraints placed on their use of metal by the Versailles Treaty. A high percentage of what they did produce during this time skewed to the edge of normality, certainly one of the reasons German holiday tin from this era typically does so well. The sterling feature of this design is the cigarette shown on only the one side. This one surfaces rarely, so although this is a bit rough compared to other items this seller has been offering of late, it may be worth a look.
Antique Vintage Germany Halloween Diecut Decoration Owl, 1920s, Deeply Embossed
The Germans produced a solid variety of owl diecuts in this large size during the 1920s. Few are in such nice condition as this one. Yes, an area of the hand-painted beak highlights has disappeared, but that’s minor given how battered most of these sized diecuts are after 100 years of existence. The seller is a nice person, too!
RARE Antique Vintage Halloween Diecut & Crepe Paper JOL Table Decoration Germany
This micro-segment of the overall market, German crepe and cardboard table top decorations, has really come into its own these last five years. Before that, you could barely give these kinds of things away. The Germans cleverly designed thin lithoed paper appendages and glued them onto a simple orange or black crepe sleeve. Once slapped together, they were sold for pennies. The few I’ve kept around for any length of time stood due to the sleeve bottom being filled with tissue paper or bubble wrap.
Vintage Halloween Jack O' Lantern Pumpkin Tea Set 4 Cups w/o Handles Germany
The photos provided are grainy enough to make it difficult to assess whether there is damage to these cups or whether they are merely filthy. The seller unhelpfully describes them as having “some wear.” To my eye, they look strangely matte with none of the sheen typically seen on these porcelain cups. Is this due to wear or dirt?
Vintage Halloween Diecut Small Black Cat face with hat, Germany
I was surprised to see this diecut garner so many bids and dollars. Both ears should have sharp points. The ear on the left as you look at the diecut seems blunted. In any event, the Germans produced at least three versions of this diecut. The hats on each differ. One looks at you (this one…), one looks down and one looks to one side. The one looking down is exceedingly rare. I’ve only seen it once - when I purchased it.
Vintage Halloween die cut Black cats Germany
This seller states that they have been a collector for over 40 years. I wonder, then, why they have such an exalted view of value. The lot is being offered for a BIN of $575, with an option to make an offer. These are quite common. A fair offer would be in the $200 range.
Vintage Halloween 1920s German Tiara Diadem Diecut Jack O' Lantern Clown RARE
These German tiara or diadem diecuts had their moment in the sun four years ago. Many examples were bringing $1800-2300. I sold several of mine privately then as I felt the market segment was wildly inflated. It was. Today the tiaras bring significantly less money (50 to 70% less). I like that the seller included a copy of the box top showing all twelve designs. This is a box that has eluded my grasp these many years.
2 Vintage Halloween 12 Panel Paper Lanterns •Germany• See Pics. & Description
In perfect condition, these very common lanterns will bring $150-175 each. The seller has the damaged pair for $575 OBO. A fair offer would be around $225.
DEAD MINT Complete Set Vintage Halloween Table Decorations Favors Germany 1920s!
It is great seeing so many of these German table decorations, especially in such nice condition. A common error is to think ten comprise a full set. There are actually eleven designs comprising the full set. The standing arched-back cat has two variations: the one included in this offering with eyes looking away from the viewer and one with the cat looking directly at the viewer with a slightly different face and stance. (The latter is much harder to find.) There are also stand variations. Later in the run the wood red stands were deeper and slotted making the table decoration more functional as a place card holder.
08/17 Update: The result was surely a disappointment as these regularly bring over $100 (sometimes well over…) when listed individually.
