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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.

Vintage Halloween Litho Paper And Cardboard Horn Noisemaker

For the longest time early in my vintage Halloween collecting days, I felt paper-litho horns with this design were produced by Beistle given the fairy motif imagery. Over the years as I became more informed, I was curious as to why I couldn’t find evidence that Beistle produced such items. Well, it seems horns like these were made without license. The mystery producer merely appropriated the art work and sat back hoping to make a buck without litigation. So, if you are a potential buyer, know this isn’t a Beistle product, but a by-product.

02/23 Update: This brought $123.50.

ANTIQUE BEISTLE LITHO CARDBOARD HALLOWEEN HORN WITH WOO

For many years I mistakenly believed this was produced by Beistle due to the imagery. It was only when I couldn't find any reference to Beistle actually producing such products that I looked closely at the artwork and noticed many differences between the art in such things as their Party Books and hats and this horn. It finally dawned on me that this horn was almost surely an authorized adaptation of Beistle imagery. There is a likelihood the horn was made in Japan, but I don't know this for certain. In any event, it is a nice item, and still has a SGV of $125, but it wasn't made by Beistle. 

Halloween Candicontainer

I was the buyer of this rare candy container, a nice Christmas season treat for myself. Pieces with this paper litho over cardboard design are some of the most difficult to find for sale -  much more difficult to locate than the JOL patterned items shown on pages 58-60. So, I was quite happy until I opened the package. The seller packed it extremely well, so it arrived in the condition in which it was sent. However, there was a pronounced crinkling to the surface paper along a vertical line directly below one of the places where the black cord was attached. Accompanying this crinkling, was a slight indentation as well. I immediately contacted the seller indicating I wanted to return it for a full refund and heard....nothing. Over the next month, I sent numerous emails and heard...nothing. Even to this very moment, I have never received even one reply to my emails. Unfortunately, I had to get Paypal involved. They investigated and found in my favor. Only yesterday did I receive a refund through their protection program. The seller did not disclose this defect, even though it is obvious enough that he should have. In short, I will not do any future business with this seller. If you find yourself interested in something this seller is selling, make sure you ask a lot of questions and hope that you will hear more than I did...nothing. 

Vintage 1921 Cardboard Horn Halloween Cat Devil Witch Noise Maker

I consider this to be one of the better lithoed paper over cardboard horns produced in the USA. The use of yellow as the primary background color is unusual, setting this noisemaker apart in a display case. The manufacturer isn't known. The Canadian manufacturer, Granger Company, in Montreal produced a black and white version that is scarcer but not as visually appealing. Sustainable guide value on the US horn is $100. 

10/20 Update: A battle royale ensued over this horn as it sold for $194.50. 

OLD VINTAGE ANTIQUE HALLOWEEN SCREECH OWL SIREN HORN TOY

Here's a noisemaker you don't see often. These Screech Owl Siren Horns were made by an unknown manufacturer in the 1930s. The mouthpiece is different than all others I've seen so there is a good chance it is not original to the item. The condition of this horn is dodgy, but this certainly doesn't surface frequently. 

07/24 Update: Even with the condition issues, this horn brought a strong $59.