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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.

1925 Pop-Up Folding Halloween Party Invitation

The ending price of this remarkable pop-up invitation is another indicator of how strong the market is for unusual small paper. I recently purchased a sizable small paper collection out of Iowa. One invitation was from this same set. Also written in, it too had a date of 1925. Because I have never seen examples from this set surface prior to the last few months, I surmise these were made for a single season only. Given the graphics, the pop-up and the cool closing method (The "To Let" sign is perforated.) these were expensive in 1925. 

Vintage Halloween Invitation, Haunted Pumpkin House, Scary Cat, Ghost, Bats

This awesome invitation was issued by Whitney in the early 1920s. I have never seen it before. I love the 3-D effect given by the protruding steps and the open door. The hatch work at the window can be seen in other fantastic Whitney products - namely the highly desirable and oh-so-hard to find "House of Fate" fortune cards. Eight examples of the latter can be found on page 278. Another thing that makes this listing special is the seller. She has long been associated with vintage Halloween items and is very knowledgeable ... friendly and honest too!

02/14 Update: The small paper item sub-genre is on fire! Who would have ever projected this would end up fetching $222.50 with multiple bidders near that level? Maybe it is time I part with my House of Fate cards! 

Vintage Halloween Haunted House 1969 Empire Light-up Orange Plastic Blow Mold

I like many of the blow molds produced in the late 1960s but this one is my favorite. The designer was really talented in incorporating a skewed perspective to the haunted house. Nicely detailed and compact, this is one of the first ones I place in my front garden window each season. Although not rare, finding one with no fading or other condition issues is a pleasant surprise. Sustainable guide value is $65, but given that the seller is offering this with free shipping, this may be one to pick up. 

One Vintage Halloween 1930s GIBSON 4-Sided Lamp Shade Lantern SPOOK HOUSE WITCH

I've noticed that many good items over the last few weeks have been selling for prices that I'd characterize as "soft." (A major exception would be prices for small paper like invitations, tallies and plates. That sub-genre seems over-heated.) This hard-to-find Gibson shade had some creasing, but I still think it should have brought more than the paltry $49.50 it did. Although I can understand the slow sales over this holiday weekend, I wonder if collectors are saving their dollars for what may come up for sale over these next few weeks. 

Vintge Halloween blow mold Haunted house EXCELLENT!

This is my favorite blow-mold design, hands down. The designer was very gifted as the changing perspectives of the house keep it interesting year after year. The seller, long one on my endorsed list, is right - this is a devilishly difficult one to find, especially in this stellar condition. Snap it up if you don't already own it. 

RARE Boogie house for Ghosts and spooks box Halloween 1950's

This fantastic item looks complete to me. It wasn't designed to have a bottom as I feel it was made to fit over a box of candy, probably made by Brach's. David is wise not to fold it up, since these were not designed to be done and undone. I bought mine flat, folded it once, and now it serenely sits in one of my many display cases. 

Thanks for the shout-out about my new edition!

07/30 Update: This neat, fragile item brought $81, slightly below guide.