Beistle produced this lantern in the very early 1940s, along with an owl face design they often sold then as a set. Neither lantern has ever garnered much enthusiasm on the secondary market, for reasons that escape me. Is the item too large? Is the design unappealing?
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Vintage Halloween CARDBOARD NUT CUP - BEISTLE - 1920's - MINT - HARD TO FIND!
This mint little nut cup is being offered by a knowledgeable and trustworthy seller. You can have confidence in dealing with them.
03/17 Update: This great item brought a strong $58.
BEISTLE HONEYCOMB CAT FACE CONTINENTAL HAT WITH PLUME RARE 1925-31 WITH STRAP
This desirable Beistle continental hat was produced from 1925-1931. Although these surface from time to time, seldom do they do so in such awesome condition. The companion hat to it is shown on page 238. Although the seller may have started it too high, you will rarely have an opportunity to do business with such a seller: knowledgeable and eminently trustworthy.
Vintage Halloween Candy Container, Black Cat w/ Bulging Eyes, Germany, Cardboard
This candy container was made in West Germany during the early 1950s. Whenever you see the mark, Container Made in Germany, you know that the marked item was made from ~1950 to ~1955. (That is assuming the mark is genuine, of course.) I like this design. The one from the collection can be seen on page 71. These typically trade for $100.
04/20 Update: This candy container ended at $97.
Vintage 1940s Black Cat With Fangs Halloween Decoration
Here's another cautionary tale relative to items offered by uninformed sellers as a BIN. This diecut doesn't surface as often as some others from the set in collectible condition, so when one does pop up, they command far more than $22.50. (I sold one in better condition in my recent auction that fetched $140.) These errant BIN offerings do provide an avenue for wily collectors to expand their treasured holdings. I am all too happy to swoop in when something is offered with a too-low BIN. If you are unsure when listing something on eBay, just list it as a 7-day auction with a modest starting price and see where the market takes it.
Original Dennison Cat Head Seals Screaming Cat Face Halloween
Most Beistle packaging is coveted and hard to come by. The earliest packaging is less interesting as Beistle hadn't yet added the detailed artwork that festooned the most sought after variety. This is an early enveloped set as there is nothing to it except the simplest of descriptions and an example of the contents glued to the front. Even so, the seller would have garnered far more than the $20 that was obtained if they had run this as an auction rather than an ill-advised BIN event.
VINTAGE 1920'S J. CHEIN HALLOWEEN BLACK CAT TIN TAMBOURINE
This tin tam, made by Chein in the early 1930s, appears to be in remarkable condition. I question, though, whether the condition warrants a ~120% premium to SGV. As with virtually all such endings, the price was driven by two bidders.
RARE EARLY BEISTLE BLACK CAT HONEYCOMB HALLOWEEN HAT~DESIGN ON BOTH SIDES~
Beistle made two designs of what they called continental hats with plumes. The mate is a JOL with better artwork on either side of the central figure. (You can see it on page 238.) The vertical stripes flanking the cat face do grab the eye, but there is no doubt that it seems Beistle rather shorted this particular design. Made from 1925-1931 only, sustainable guide value is $195.
10/07 Update: This hat brought $197.50.
Vintage Tin Toy Halloween BLACK CAT Tambourine Noisemaker Litho T Cohn Inc. USA
This is an unsustainable price for this often-seen tin tambourine. Produced during the 1950s by T. Cohn, the tambourine's RSIN is "5," meaning it is common. These surface with great regularity, and typically do not bring much beyond guide value of $60. As is so often the case in these situations, one determined bidder is responsible for the ending price.
VINTAGE "BLACK CAT CARDBOARD DECORATION/CARD!!" HALLOWEEN GREETING CARD
This is actually a remnant of a candy box made by Candy Crafters, Inc. of Lansdowne, PA during the 1950s. Complete examples will have a small box for candy attached to the back. As such, this has no collectible value, versus complete examples that typically trade for $45. A companion box can be seen on page 56.
VINTAGE OLD BLACK CAT HALLOWEEN IMAGE - PART OF ?
This appears to be a homemade item, with the cat face crudely copied from a Beistle black cat face mask. It has modest decorative value only.
