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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN MAN PULP PAPER MACHE- 1950S MID CENTURY- RARE

This heavily damaged item actually sold for $285, not the $375 that eBay shows. (I wish that eBay would be more transparent on what the actual final prices for fixed price listings and the like are. There are work-arounds involving other sites to sniff out actual final prices but why should collectors wanting to be educated on current prices have to do this?) As to the pulp man, I’m amazed that it sold for as much as it did given its condition.

HALLOWEEN VINTAGE PAPER MACHE PULP WINKING WITCH CANDY CONTAINER 8" BROOM SACK

I’ve long noted how unusual it is to see this pulp candy container in near-perfect condition. I wonder if it stems from the quality or formulation of the pulp itself. Pulp is a hardy substance - just look at the many pulp JOLs that regularly pop up for sale. Many JOLs have emerged relatively unscathed through the decades. I speculate that whatever firm made this design used a different pulp formulation that simply doesn’t fare well over the years. Thoughts?

Vintage PAPER MACHE 8 1/4" Orange Witch Candy Container

You are looking at one of the most elusive USA pulp figures out there - not that the item itself is all that rare - but to find one in near-mint or better condition is the rarely done trick. For some reason 9+ out of 10 I see are in this approximate condition. I delayed adding one to the collection for decades as one in the condition warranting inclusion eluded my grasp. Even in this condition, these pulp witches command prices in the range of $175-225 or more.

vintage halloween paper mache pulp jack o lantern with rare battery holder

It is unusual to see the original battery holder extant with these pulp JOLs. To eliminate the risk of fire due to burning a candle, this manufacturer changed their mold to enable a battery holder with bulb to be attached to the back. This seller obtained this particular pulp JOL through me some years ago. He’s a great guy and a knowledgeable collector.

RARE Vintage Halloween Orange Paper Mache Owl Container Decoration 3.5”

Prices for simple pulp items like this 1950s owl and a corresponding cat, typically seen with yellow eyes, have really escalated over the last 1-2 years. This owl is mystifyingly difficult to find in very-fine-plus or better condition. The example sold yesterday for $202.51 just edges in to the lower range of that condition scale. Maybe that accounts for the ending price. A few years ago, it would have maxed out at $70-90.

New Lantern Design from Tim Ramzyk of Pulp Novelties!

Tim Ramzyk is nearing release of his latest fantastic creation, The Halloween Alley Cat! Just look at the craftsmanship! Tim tells me this lantern is his most ambitious to date, consisting of no less than seven separately molded pieces. He was able to craft this scary and unsettling feline even though the raw materials necessary to actually produce them were most costly and more elusive than ever.

This lantern proudly joins my collection of Tim’s limited edition releases he has been creating for the last several years. The detailed molding and coloration of the fur, the care to show its war-torn ears, the cleverly distinctive eyes and unbelievable realism of the mouth and fangs on this chilling lantern are, frankly, astounding. I plan to put it at eye level so my visitors will be a bit spooked.

Tim is a Wisconsin-based artist who meticulously and painstakingly hand molds his own designs from a heavy, durable material. I am in awe at the workmanship and the true craft Tim brings to pulp design. I proudly have seven of his treasures now on exhibit in my main display room. (For those who I've been lucky to host at my home, you know that in order for something to be placed in that room, it has to carry its own weight.)

Tim is offering The Halloween Alley Cat for $205 plus shipping, way too cheap for an item of this quality! He’ll begin selling them on Etsy on September 19th. As with all of his most recent lanterns they will be made in a limited number of small, handcrafted batches. When they are gone, they are gone. Do not miss out on the chance to have a limited edition piece of sculptural art from this great Wisconsin guy. The name of Tim’s Etsy shop is PulpNovelties. You can also contact him directly at pulpnovelties@aol.com.

For those who know me, you know that I rarely buy anything Halloween unless it is vintage. I've made an exception - and you should too. My advice is to place a pre-order with Tim now. I am privy to the number he plans to produce in his initial batch. That number compels me to repeat the advice - place a pre-order now. :)

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Vintage Paper Mache Pumpkin Jack O Lantern LARGE 11" Candy Container w Lid rare

It isn’t every day that this rare and desirable pulp item surfaces. I’ve seen these described as cookie jars, too. The closed features, size and extant lid make this a real show piece. I remember some very optimistic seller tried to unsuccessfully sell another example some years back for $10,000. This isn’t in that price league, for sure, although this listing could reach close to $1,000. The market on eBay is strange these days since eBay unilaterally and imprudently changed the way they categorized holiday items. Who really knows what this will bring? I know a broad swath of collectors that have migrated away from eBay. I don’t feel there are as many eyes on these prizes as there were at the beginning of the year.

Vintage Halloween Paper Mache Cat Candy Container

This seller must be an optimist. They are offering this relatively common pulp cat with damage at the bargain price of $250, with no chance to make an offer. Only on eBay. This late 1940s pulp cat in this condition seldom breaks $100.

Vintage Mid 1900s Halloween Paper Mache Witch

This rare pulp witch candy holder is a challenge to find in collectible condition for reasons that escape me. I added one to the collection during the last year when I saw one in great, although imperfect condition. (I had resisted acquiring one as condition was always problematic.) The seller neglects to mention height. This is impressively sized at ~8.25” high and makes a great display item.

09/08 Update: Glad to see this fine pulp figural brought $321.

Antique Vtg Papier-Mâché Paper Mache Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Halloween RARE

This rare lidded JOL with closed features sold for $1000. (eBay's system shows it sold for $1200 but in checking the actual ending price the figure was $1000.) I wonder if $1000 is the record for this rare and very attractive JOL? At 10" high the piece is a stunner and would easily be a cabinet's centerpiece. Although nearly all of the US pulp JOL output is not uncommon, there are the few strays that either weren't produced in great numbers or didn't tend to survive intact. I believe this item checks both of those boxes. 

04/18 Update: Sadly, the buyer, a stalwart and ethical person, let me know the seller was anything but. The seller cancelled the sale after my friend paid for the item in full. The seller refunded the price saying his wife objected to the sale after the fact. Shouldn't he have just said to her, "Sorry, what's done is done."? Naturally, that assumes the reason given was the truth. Could it have been he simply got a better offer? 

Another 04/18 Update: After scrolling through the eBay listings just now looking for something to comment on, I see this same item has been listed by the same seller for $10,000 OBO. The seller is certainly not someone with whom I'd want to do business! Where is eBay in all this? Shouldn't they step in and stop this listing?