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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.

Rare Antique German Halloween Jack-O-lantern Candleholder Candy Container

It is so refreshing to see such a truly rare item on eBay. I feel it is the most compelling and single “must-have” piece from the relatively large set with the same JOL-based design. (Please refer to pages 58-60 to see other items from the set. The large candlestick in the collection is shown on page 132.) This candlestick candy container was produced in at least two sizes. I was very fortunate to pick up a German example in a smaller size not long ago. (I provided a photo of the two examples to Kovels Antique Trader for their October 2023 issue.) The Japanese made an example, too, which falls WELL below the artisanship of any of the German designs. The seller took a risk by starting the listing with such a high opening amount but quality sometimes dictates abandoning that old strategy of starting things at $9.99. This is an item that should easily command a minimum of ~$4,000 even with the unfortunately visible facial wrinkle.

04/28 Update: I was surprised this only brought $2,500. Perhaps the seller’s strategy of starting it so high worked against a better ending price. Sometimes, high starting prices kill the sense of adventure and a hope for a coveted steal by collectors. That’s almost certainly what happened here.

GERMAN WITCH IN JOL CANDY CONTAINER HEAVY COMPOSITION VINTAGE HALLOWEEN ANTIQUE

The smaller form factor German compo candy containers seem to have the best molding detail. Just look at the contours of the JOL. This is truly a small work of art. There is at least one other design that comprises the set. You can see the devil next to the witch on page 65. The lister, stnick22, has listed ~150 lots, many quite good. There has been a fair amount of higher-quality items this calendar year. Has this unusual abundance pulled too many dollars out of wallets/purses, limiting the chances for things to bring gasp-inducing prices? (I have remarked to several collectors that prices seem soft overall.) I projected that the hobby would see several years of unusual abundance as the first generation of serious collectors dies off. This first generation focused almost exclusively on German lanterns and candy containers, so it follows that is what we’ll be seeing more of. This now-dying or already gone first generation didn’t pay much attention to paper, so we won’t be seeing much of this. I project that paper, especially small paper, has much room to run.

Antique Vintage Halloween Paper Candle Stick Candy Container Japan 1920s? Rare?

This candlestick candy container is a derivative of the one produced by the Germans from ~1916-1921. Although the dimensions seem to be nearly identical, the grace notes between the two are obvious. The German version has a more richly decorated and colored base. The German version’s handle is larger and more appropriately sized than the item produced in Japan. The surely after-market addition of the forgettable cat is unfortunate. If this was produced in Germany I would expect it to fetch no less than $2500. The item up for auction should fetch one-third of that figure in a normal market, which the one we are experiencing right now is most definitely not.

04/07 Update: This sold for a mere $312, far less than I would have thought.

RARE Vintage Halloween Candy Container Grinning Cat on Pumpkin German Pre-War

The buyer of this fantastic candy container came by yesterday to show it to me. I think the seller’s photos, which didn’t accent the playful bee on the side of the cat or show the candy container in its best light, caused the price to descend to bargain territory. Frankly, the paint and detailing are top-notch. The size of the item is perfect and it is a wholly pleasing item overall. The price should have easily crested $1,000. A take-away here is critically look at the photos. If you feel details are left out or there can be better photos provided, ask for more.

Vintage Large Halloween GM Cat Driving Truck Candy Container

The G.M. Company produced several large heavy cardboard candy holders, all with unusual and memorable imagery. They also produced the much more common set of six smaller candy holders you can find on page 54. The larger holders almost never surface in nice condition. This one is in as nice of condition as they come. The bonus here are the sellers. They are close friends of mine who have a great (perhaps unsurpassed) eye for antiques and collectibles. You can wholly place your trust in their listings! Be sure to check out the other super items they have up for auction right now.

Antique German Halloween Candy Container Box Suitcase Train Case Saxony

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.

Antique Halloween German JOL Head Lady Candy Container Jack O Lantern Fab!

The Germans were able to portray such emotion in their moldings. One can almost feel the anticipation and joy this JOL-headed woman exudes through the skillful rendering of the body. This would certainly be a show-stopper in any display. The seller is a long-time collector who did the hobby a very great service with her publication in the 1990s of The Boo News, an informative, well-written newsletter with a diverse offering of articles. I own virtually every copy Dawn Kroma ever published, and cherish them for their information. If she has any copies left, I hope she’ll offer them up for auction. They are very much worth having as part of any collector’s reference library.

Vintage German HALLOWEEN Candy Container GHOST Grim Reaper on Log Composition

I don’t think this has much age to it. (I’d know for sure if I’d have the opportunity to examine it personally.) Little about the item is consistent with German candy containers I know to be genuine. The paint on the skeleton is mottled, the scythe is too glossy, the disk upon which the skeleton sits is too decorated and the ornateness of the tree stump base is inconsistent with truly old candy containers. The interior of the base is painted - another anomaly. I could see this being made anytime after the mid-1960s through yesterday. If you are interested in it, get the provenance from the seller and a money-back guarantee if your research indicates that it is a newer item.

1920s Halloween JOL SATCHEL Candy Box Squeaker RARE!

Two examples of this squeaking satchel have sold in the last ~18 months, one in the low $200s and the other in the low $300s. Like this one, they were made in Japan. This is not a German-made item.

09/26 Update: This sold for $399.99, a significantly higher price than the other two. I wonder if the buyer thought they were buying an item made in Germany?