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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.

GERMANY Halloween Composition JOL Pumpkin Head Veggie Figure Musical

This is a piece from another set much-loved by me. A long-time collector passed away in 1994. I was called to attend her estate sale. There, I was able to scoop up scads of vintage Halloween figurals and candy containers. Among the large purchase were all the band members shown on page 84. (Since then, I’ve added at least one more to the set.) The RSINs for the items shown on that page are all 2. I’d like to introduce some granularity to that assessment made about 10 years ago. I feel that the sax and drum players remain 2s, with the others being 3s. The French horn player, not shown, would also be a 2. It doesn’t surprise me that this drum-playing figural brought such strong dollars. It is the best of the band. Kudos to the prevailing bidder!

Awesome US ZONE GERMANY Halloween Composition JOL Pumpkin Head Clown

This listing yields at least two interesting things. I guess some Veggie figurals were produced post-WWII. Looking at the figural’s paint and the circular paper bottom there is nothing to differentiate it from others produced up to 2+ decades before. The other is the labels themselves. Look at how small and impermanent they are. If they were to be removed - and it would be so easy to remove them - there would be nothing to guide you from concluding it was produced as early as the 1920s. It doesn’t appear as if there is a stamped ink mark on the bottom. Interesting…

Antique Paper Mache Halloween Goblin Lantern / Candy Container Germany

This homely German candy container/lantern combo was probably produced during the 1930s, based on the decorative paper that lies at the base of the lantern head. The Germans used that kind of paper at that time as well as post-WWII. The BIN price seems high. Why not just start it at $500 and let the auction takes its course? For items that don't surface everyday, I don't understand the tendency to slap a BIN on something. 

GERMAN COMPOSITION VEGGIE BAND MEMBER~BASS DRUM CYMBAL~1920'S~HALLOWEEN~1 OF 6

Although this sub-genre of German figurals is not universally loved, I've long appreciated Veggie people. I feel the very best set issued was the six member band of which this is the centerpiece. Although all of its members are hard to find, this bass drummer seems to be the hardest to find of all. This is only the second time I've seen it for sale. The one in the collection came from a long-time collector and dealer's estate. I picked it up in 1994. 

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN OR GOBLIN GUY WITH BIG EARS

This small composition Veggie person was made in Germany during the early 1920s. Most of this ilk were meant to stand on round cardboard bases, hence the glue remnants on the bottom. I don't feel that the absence of the base is a material factor in valuation with this category of figurals. The buyer got a very solid bargain, given that sustainable guide value is $135. An identical example is shown on page 81. 

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN MUSICIANS COMPOSITION GERMANY 1925

This seller epitomizes someone who simply wants far too much for items in sub-standard condition, refusing to accept the overall wisdom of the marketplace. She has listed, re-listed, then listed again this fivesome  for what I consider to be a laughable, ask-for-the-moon-and-maybe-I'll-find-a-fool price. Please seller, catch a clue and simply list these in an auction format with a reasonable starting price of $49.99.