No better illustration exists of the crapshoot nature of eBay than this result. So many collectors, including me, were asleep at the switch when this listing ended, surely thinking it will go to the nosebleed levels cards from this series have been bringing, that we missed out on an opportunity to acquire an example at a reasonable price. Hence, it ended at $125.95 surely to the pure delight of the buyer and the consternation of the seller.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Vintage Whitney House of Fate Witch Fortune Telling Card Halloween Decor
Any of the House of Fate cards are desirable and very rarely surface. It was exciting to see this listing. This card comes from a series manufactured by Whitney in the early 1930s that they called The House of Fate. The cards are superbly designed with pull-away roofs containing the printed fortune. I believe that nine constitute the complete set, although that is just a guess. At first glance, the differing base designs look similar. However, when you closely examine the cards, there are always very minute differences present. I'm puzzled as to why Whitney would have introduced these subtle differences. It doesn’t seem cost effective. Perhaps we'll never know. Whitney went out of business in 1942. (Check out the eight examples on page 278.) The last one on eBay sold in September 2018 for $550, a truly out-there result. What will happen with this listing?
06/22 Update: This sold for $535. Wow! I’ll sell all of mine in one fell swoop for $500 each. Contact me.
NEAR MINT RARE Vintage Halloween House of Fate Fortune Paper Card, Whitney 1930s
I love the House of Fate fortunes issued by Whitney during the early 1930s. What I’ve discovered about these little design treasures is that every single one I’ve ever examined is subtly (sometimes very subtly) different than any other. If you compare the one being offered for sale by this wonderful seller by the ones shown on page 278, you may think it is identical to the one shown at middle left or bottom right. You’d be wrong. For reasons I don’t understand, the lines comprising the windows are subtly different as are the lines and shapes of the lowest roof border. (Take out a magnifying glass and see for yourself.) Now, in terms of value and desirability, I acknowledge this is a distinction without a difference, but isn’t it a mystery? Why would Whitney have printed so many meaningless variations? That said, these are VERY desirable items. It’ll be fun to see what this brings.
07/30 Update: This brought the near-record price of $385.22!
NEAR MINT. -RARE- EARLY 1930'S HALLOWEEN HOUSE OF FATE FORTUNE- WHITNEY CO.
Any of the House of Fate cards are desirable and very rarely surface. It was exciting to see this listing. This card comes from a series manufactured by Whitney in the early 1930s that they called The House of Fate. The cards are superbly designed with pull-away roofs containing the printed fortune. I believe that nine constitute the complete set, although that is just a guess. At first glance, the differing base designs look similar. However, when you closely examine the cards, there are always very minute differences present. I'm puzzled as to why Whitney would have introduced these subtle differences. It doesn’t seem cost effective. Perhaps we'll never know. Whitney went out of business in 1942. (Check out the eight examples on page 278.) This card is in stellar condition and is being offered by a stellar seller.
10/04 Update: This sold for an unbelievable $550, deep into bubble territory. If someone wants to buy the eight shown on page 278 in my book, they can be yours for $4400. Shipping would be free.
SET OF 5 VINTAGE HALLOWEEN POP UP HOUSE OF FATE FORTUNE TELLING CARDS*JOL*WITCH+
This lot prompted a number of emails. I wrote each person the same thing - that I would pass on the lot since the condition was poor. Even so, the lot brought strong dollars. These House of Fate fortune cards were made by Whitney during the early 1930s. Each of these is different than the 8 examples in the collection. At first glance, the 3-4 base designs look similar. When you closely examine different examples, there are always very minute differences present. I'm puzzled as to why Whitney would have introduced these subtle differences. It doesn’t seem cost effective. Perhaps we'll never know. Whitney went out of business in 1942.
