Retail candy boxes from the bigger brands in the candy world is a hot market segment. Even examples like this beat-up Milky Way box has been bid up to $81 with over three days left. Perhaps 18+ months ago, something in this condition would have prompted only yawns, not bids.
09/18 Update: The ending price didn’t move. It brought $81.
The Japanese tried their best to get into the holiday item export business to the USA, but the vast majority of their output seldom compared favorably to the innovativeness and production standards of the typical holiday export item made in Germany. Their use of crepe and cut-outs to “finish” their items screams how willing they were to cede their seat at the quality table. This market segment, which does have its adherents, never appealed to me. This item is already up to $71 with four days left.
Not that long ago these perfunctorily designed candy boxes wouldn’t have brought much. I was surprised to see this box, in quite poor condition as described by the top-notch seller, fetch nearly $48. I wonder what candy boxes with interesting graphics and in near-mint condition would fetch?
This is a candy box that I’ve not seen before. (This wonderful seller, who has been offering some great paper items, is one that I recommend.) It is sizable and surely would make a statement in any display. A new collector who I’ve come to respect has relayed to me that he feels it was made by Ann-Dee Specialties of Bayside, NY. (Look on page 56 for a JOL candy box produced by them.) Although that may very well be the case, I feel it more probable that it was produced by Merri-Lei, a firm known for their many creations using the striated glossy paper stock found with this listing. Whichever firm produced it doesn’t change the fact that this is something rare.
04/12 Update: This sold for an astonishing $454!
The G.M. Company produced a number of slot and tab candy boxes during the 1940s and 1950s. Their most popular and easily found designs were a set of six first produced during the mid-to-late 1940s. This whimsical cat driving a skeptical JOL is one of this set of six. (You can see the others on page 54.) These are not typically found in this superb condition. Even the colors are bright! If you care about doing business with knowledgeable and upstanding sellers, you can’t go wrong with klectibles!
08/02 Update: This brought an astounding $225.35.
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.
It is a rush to see such a high quality item on a forum that has fallen so far since its heyday. This confection was made sometime between 1910-1914. The measurements the seller has provided would indicate this is larger than others I’ve seen. The condition is nice, but nowhere near perfect. Given what the seller is asking, I would have hoped the condition would have been far better.
This is an item made in Japan modeled after the superior such items made in Germany. The latter are significantly better made. This derivative object was made during the 1920s and has a value much less than a German counterpart.
01/31 Update: This sold for $202.50, right around where I expected this item to sell.
Even this faded candy box with pedestrian graphics sold for $167.50, another bubbly indicator.
This is a large and colorful identically dual-sided slot and tab candy holder made by an unknown manufacturer. I was only able to add one to the collection perhaps 6 years ago, so these are not plentiful. When I got it I was surprised at just what a powerful display item it is! This one looks to be in nice condition. The last one ended on eBay almost exactly one year ago and sold for an astounding and unsustainable price of $347.98.
10/02 Update: This sold for a somewhat more reasonable price of $255.
I have taken a real liking to seasonally produced candy boxes from local and regional candy makers. They are typically quite rare. Being essentially ephemera, few were kept and fewer still remain in collectible condition. I had never seen this design before or was even aware of Margaret Burnham's. The selling price of $66.99 should be considered a real bargain.
This is a large and colorful identically dual-sided slot and tab candy holder made by an unknown manufacturer. I was only able to add one to the collection perhaps 5 years ago, so these are not plentiful. When I got it I was surprised at just what a powerful display item it is! This one looks to be in remarkable condition. I greatly appreciate the fine seller being very specific about condition.
10/08 Update: This excellent candy holder sold for an astounding $347.98. SGV is $85.
I don't think this box is German, but something made in the USA for candy shops, probably during the 1930s. There are several different designs, none marked. If you have information as to who made these and when, I'd love to have the information.
I have never seen this Rosen candy box before. Every once in a while some new Rosen-made artifact surfaces to my surprise. They were surely prolific with their designs! Rosen-made items are difficult to date with accuracy. They left few clues to help collector/curators like me. The acme of Rosen paper is surely their various "Pops" boxes. Check out pages 116-118 for a nice selection in the collection.
This seller made an error selling this rare Beistle candy basket for less than $59.99 through a Best Offer scenario. Beistle made this for a single season in 1921. The designer went all out decorating every surface with now-iconic as well as odd art choices. (Check out the pine tree on one of the sides.) I haven't seen one of these come to market in many, many years. Given how hot Beistle is at the moment, I feel confident in asserting that an auction ending price would have far exceeded SGV of $325. These are very delicate items, and this seems to be in superb condition given that caveat. Reviewing the sold items, I see this seller sold a number of rare Beistle items for far less than SGV.
