This tin litho tambourine produced by Chein during the 1930s is in exceptional condition. I see no dimpling to the front, which is quite unusual. This should bring top dollar!
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Vintage 1930s Halloween clacker tin litho noisemaker toy knocker
Kirchhof produced this design along with a companion design that can be seen on page 204 for a season, maybe two. The typical form of the noisemaker is a ratchet, so this clanger style is unusual, perhaps accounting for why it has already been bid up to nearly $200 even though the condition is rough. If you are going to see one of the pair, this is the design that surfaces a bit more frequently.
Vintage Kirchhof Metal Slide Whistle Halloween Noisemaker
When I was a new collector I saw these fairly regularly. Times sure have changed! I haven't seen one being offered for sale for some time. It’s great that some nice items finally are being listed on eBay after a dispiriting run where virtually all listings were forgettable. The RSIN for this slider noisemaker is 2 with a sustainable guide value of $150. Kirchhof made this nicely designed slider in the early 1930s. I can't think of similarly designed tin litho noisemakers, so if you don't have this yet in your collection, this item looks to be in very nice condition.
08/04 Update: This great item sold for $156.28.
1930's PRINTED PAPER-FACED TAMBORINE w/TIN RIM-7" in Diameter
The version shown on page 213 has a decorated rim whereas this one has a plain rim. I’m surprised there would be two versions of such an economically made design. I would love to know for sure which firm produced this tambourine. Several collectors have mentioned that they’ve found this tambourine design as part of a Collegeville “gypsy” costume from the 1930s, but I’ve never been able to independently verify that Collegeville included such items with their costumes.
Vintage Halloween Siren Horn Screech Owl -Cardboard Noise Maker
This is a horn that doesn’t often come up for sale. Most of these lithoed-paper-over-cardboard horns are pretty forgettable, but whichever firm produced this had a great eye for design. The graphics are fresh and energetic. The metal top seems right for the horn. The overall condition is quite good. This was produced during the 1930s. SGV is $125, but we seem to be in a vintage Halloween bubble market right now, so who knows what it will bring.
10/13 Update: This sold for a bubbly $211.38.
Vintage Large Halloween Noisemaker/Clicker *Made in Germany*
Here's a tin litho clicker you don't see too much. This was made in Germany during the 1930s. It is large relative to most other clickers, measuring ~3.75" high. The RSIN for it is 2. This sold for $65, not the $75 as shown on eBay.
Vintage Halloween Clapper Germany
This seller offered several rare tin litho German noisemakers for a song - $39 each. This particular listing ended less than 8 minutes after activation. I wish I would have seen these listings. (This is a busy time of the year for me.) Another example of why one should use an auction format unless there is an excellent handle on current pricing.
Vintage Halloween Theme Party Noise Maker, early 1950's
Chein produced this hard-to-find noisemaker during the 1920s, patterned directly after their party scene tambourine. There are subtle differences between the two aside from coloration. Because blue and yellow are not colors traditionally associated with Halloween, collectors sometime overlook this little gem. This particular one is in rough condition, so hold off for a better one. The seller may have found it in a box with a 1950s date, but this was produced ~25 years earlier.
