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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.

RARE Vintage Halloween Moon & Cats Decoration Casting/Mold Plate

Here’s something I’ve not seen for decades - a seemingly actual pressing plate used to produce one of Beistle’s well-known diecuts. Diecuts from this set of twelve were made from 1932 through the early 1950s. Collectors can estimate when diecuts from this set were pressed based on the level of embossing present. (As the plate was used over time the level of detail from the plate would decrease.) This kind of artifact from the production process almost never surfaces. I saw a few back in the early 1990s, but none since. The price seems right as many collectors, like me, aren’t overly interested in such items.

Vintage Halloween Paper Plate USA

When I think of all the many market segments that comprise the universe of vintage Halloween collecting, I often forget about plates. Most plates, especially those by Reed, don’t fetch much, but one manufacturer stands well above the others - Beach & Arthur. Plates by that firm have been fetching very strong dollars for some 2-3 years now. Their designs tend to be unusual and creatively use colors not typically associated with Halloween like yellow and red. The plate listed is one of the more tame designs and has some staining. Even so, I expect the final result will escalate beyond the initial bid of $9.99.

10/17 Update: The plate sol for $38.99.

OLD HALLOWEEN Jack O Lantern Pumpkin JOL Container Lid & Saucer RARE Vintage

These great items sold almost precisely at their sustainable guide values. Neither the lidded sugar nor the saucer was marked, so one has to be on alert that the sugar wasn't actually made in Japan, thereby considerably lessening its value. (The Japanese never marked these Halloween porcelain wares, whereas the Germans more often than not did mark these wares.) The Japanese didn't make saucers, so the only question is whether the lidded sugar is German or Japanese. It is definitely the former based on its finish. The 3.25" saucer is devilishly difficult to find. 

1930'S "SCARCE" HALLOWEEN BEACH & ARTHUR PAPER PLATE. WONDERFUL GRAPHICS N MINT

Wow! Three bidders, intent on adding this fine plate to their collections, drove the bidding into the stratosphere to an entirely unsustainable $123.50. I am happy for the seller, but would counsel the underbidders to bide their time. These plates show up regularly, and typically fetch $30-40. A bit of advice to newer collectors: understand the relative scarcity of the items on which you are bidding. If something is common, seldom bid over guide value as another will surface in one forum or another. Try not to overpay as the prevailing bidder here most definitely did.