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.
Blog
Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Embossed Antique German MINI Diecut Halloween black cat RARE!
I have learned to really examine these mini-diecuts for variations. This arched-back black cat mini-diecut has differences from the one I own and that is shown on page 185. Look at the positioning of the legs and the shape of the tail. I don’t have a theory as to why these variations surface so regularly with these mini-diecuts. This went for less than I would have thought.
Vintage Halloween Cat Head w/ Bow Cellophane Mouth Cardboard 1940s - 1960s MINT
Someone paid dearly for what is essentially a remnant. The front looks good, but when the sold item is flipped over the back is flat because the “Toy Packs” box that should be attached is missing. (The second photo showing the back is one I took of the same item in the collection. It appears on page 56.) The candy box was produced during the 1950s by Candy Crafters Inc. of Lansdowne, PA. The price paid, coupled with the indefensible shipping charge of $15.79, makes its acquisition far from a bargain. The buyer should return it.
Antique Gibson Halloween Gummed Seal Black Cats in NM box 1930 RARE
Here’s another aberrant result for small paper, all too common this crazy season. If it wasn’t for two apparently wealthy bidders this would have ended around where it should have - $100. It is a box of Gibson seals with only ~half of its contents!
VINTAGE DENNISON HALLOWEEN FIGURAL ORANGE PUMPKIN BRIDGE TALLY CARDS BLACK CAT 2
I wonder why these wonderful Dennison tallies don’t bring more money? They’ve long seemed to bump around the $12-20 range per tally. The design is great and the maker’s Halloween output is coveted yet the value on the secondary market hasn’t budged even though the general small paper market segment has grown white hot. These market anomalies are puzzling.
VINTAGE GERMAN DIE-CUT EMBOSSED HALLOWEEN CAT WITH VIOLIN DECORATION Near Mint!
The Germans produced the complete set of six of these black cat band members during the 1920s. They comprise one of the most popular diecut sets collected. I’ve found that the cymbals and guitar diecuts are harder to find in acceptable condition, but this one closely follows. The newish seller does everything right - a solid number of quality photos with a no-nonsense description. The glazed diecut looks great and is worth your consideration.
LARGE BLACK CAT COUPLE BOY GERMAN GERMANY DIECUT EASEL HALLOWEEN die cut
I can’t say enough good things about this seller. I’ve had the pleasure of doing business with him for years and he is fantastic. I appreciate the care with which he describes his items and the many excellent photos that accompany his listings. (How I wish all eBay sellers would follow his lead!)
The faint mark he references on the easel does date this pressing to the later 1940s. This is a tough design to find in such good condition.
04/28 Update: This sold for a strong $202.50.
Vintage 1930's Halloween black cat jack o lantern day cards post antique vampire
Hallmark produced a wide variety of these small, non-embossed diecuts on a thin cardboard stock during the later 1920s and into the 1930s. For a long time I thought these items were produced by Whitney. However, as I added to my collection of items actually marked by Hallmark, I began to see that many of these diecuts appeared as images on their tally and place cards.
Some firms were disciplined about marking their individual items. Dennison was probably the most disciplined, followed by Beistle beginning in the 1930s. Hallmark falls in the vast middle with Whitney surely being the least disciplined.
04/23 Update: This sold for $16.50.
HALLOWE'EN Fold Out Table Top Decoration -Cat on a Moon-circa 1940's
This hat design was produced by Beistle, but much earlier than the seller guesses. It was produced for a single season - 1921. This example is in poor condition and the coloration seems off.
02/05 Update: This sold for only ~$20.
Vintage Gibson Halloween Black Cat Tally Cards
The buyer of this lot of two Gibson tallies got a bargain. Both are visually appealing, colorful and large. The full-bodied cat looking back is the better of the two. It is rarely seen, especially in collectible condition. That tally alone should have brought $60. This is another example of the perils of using the Buy-It-Now feature when not specializing in what is being sold.
Halloween Vintage Tally, 2 Arched Black Cat Tallies, Heavy Silvery Highlighting
These cute tallies were produced by Hallmark. The seller is a long-time collector, both knowledgeable and honest! Don’t hesitate doing business with her.
VINTAGE HALLOWEEN HONEYCOMB HAT- OWL, CAT, BAT, & JOL
This band hat was produced by Beistle during 1930-1931. It looks to be in remarkable condition, although jamming it onto a styrofoam head makes me wince. The imagery is compelling. I consider it to be one of their best hats!
09/224 Update: This sold for $321.
ANTIQUE GERMAN HALLOWEEN DIE CUT- BLACK CAT PLAYING THE SAXOPHONE
This is a hard-to-find diecut in quite nice condition - but the ending price still surprised me. I worry that our hobby is largely becoming the province of deep-pocketed collectors. When two diecuts from the set of three sell for close to $1,000, I have to question if this is sustainable.
RARE Vintage Halloween GIBSON ART Paper OHIO BLACK CAT Candle Light Transparency
Wow, I never imagined a world where this delicate and rare candle transparency would have sold for $450! I love the photos this fine seller included, as I’ve always had difficulty imagining how this was supposed to be used.
08/28 Update: Another example by a different seller sold on 08/25 for $100 - the vagaries of eBay!
RARE Vintage Halloween 20s Black Cat Waving Walking Die Cut Germany N. MINT HTF
I love this heavily embossed German diecut. It has so much energy and personality. It’s one you don’t see very often. The bonus is that it is being sold by one of the good guys. The seller is knowledgeable, honest and a true collector in his own right. Don’t hesitate in doing business with him! This particular item appears to be in exceptional condition. I appreciate and value the minimalist description. I wish more sellers would just stick to the basics rather than going on and on in their descriptions. This diecut is “2” on my RSIN and was produced during a short window in the 1920s.
08/06 Update: I’m so glad to see this gem sold for $251.50.
