This example of Jitterbug Jones sold for $525. The back easel is missing, but otherwise it displays well. Some unknown manufacturer produced at least two designs with a glow-in-the-dark feature during the 1930s. Both had attached placards, which today are often missing. (The other design shows a witch falling into a flaming cauldron. It is rare enough that I’ve never been able to acquire one.)
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
RARE 1930s Jitterbug Jones table decoration Great Halloween graphics!!!
Here is another seller I heartily endorse. He doesn’t sell much, but he is offering at least two desirable Halloween items right now, the other being a Beistle electrified cat band hat. Jitterbug Jones was produced by an unknown firm during the 1930s. It is an early example of a glow-in-the-dark party product. The placard the seller references is almost always missing. This item displays well given its color and energetic presentation. I’ve only seen it offered for sale a handful of times in 32 years of collecting.
04/28 Update: $512.98! Wow. Just imagine what is would have fetched had it the placard!
Vintage 1930s rare 14 inch HALLOWEEN Jitterbug Jones & WITCH 2 GLOW-IN-THE-DARK
I'd love to know the story here. When this lot ended at $636.99, I didn't believe it. I called a close friend and fellow collector to get her reaction. She said maybe it is time to sell our collections if people are willing to pay such a high price for items with such obvious condition issues. Not only are both items missing their placards, but the amount of wear, plus the presence of tape remnants, is a turn-off. However, the seller relisted the pair less than a mere two hours later. So, did the prevailing bidder get cold feet? These really shouldn't go for more than $200-$250 total.
09/22 Update: I received an email from the prevailing bidder today explaining that she had inadvertently placed a mistaken bid amount by inserting a third digit in her haste to bid. The seller graciously accepted this explanation and didn't bind the bidder to the placed bid. Doesn't this truly indicate that the seller is fair-minded?
