I watched this listing with great interest. For a long time I referred to these kinds of items as skittles based on information given to me long, long ago by Paul Schofield and Mary Lou Holt. That information was incorrect. These kinds of items were really table pieces that could act as a place card holder. (Many of the wood bottoms had grooves to hold a place card. Others didn’t, so I suppose a place card could have just leaned against it.) There were apparently two sets made. An example of the more common set is shown in this listing’s final photo. Others can be seen on page 26. The larger item, which sold for $405, is part of a set that truly is not often seen. Another from this set can be seen on page 26. I’ve long coveted examples from this latter set, but don’t own a single one. The date on this, if correct, confirms my hunch that this rarer set was made after the more common set. I suspect the rarer set was produced for a single season. I know I have a photo of many of the items from the rarer set somewhere. If I find it, I’ll post it here.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Rare 1935 German Halloween diecut Cat & Boys & Girls hand in hand against fence.
I’ve had several email exchanges with the wonderful seller of this rare German fence diecut. She saw the article in a recent issue of Antique Trader listing my ten favorite vintage Halloween items. One of them, this diecut fence design, I valued at $4,500. That estimated value prompted her to list the fence diecut she acquired ~30 years ago from an estate sale, wherein she and a business partner acquired a box of vintage Halloween items for pocket change. She told me that through a thrift or antique shop she used to run with that partner, all of the Halloween items acquired that day were long ago sold - except the fence. She listed the diecut on eBay with a “make an offer” feature. She said she received multiple offers in the $2,000 range (c’mon people!) and declined them all until someone stepped up and paid very close to my estimate in the Antique Trader. Although she received a market price for the rarity, nonetheless she was sad to see it packaged up and sent away to the savvy buyer. (I say savvy because when something this rare pops up, you pay up. Those offering a pittance for a treasure hoping to snag a bargain happily lost out.
Now, eBay’s increasingly opaque system shows the fence diecut selling for $1,000. Reading this post, you know now that is inaccurate. (I strongly dislike the opaque approach eBay takes to reporting actual selling prices. It is a true detriment to understanding the foibles of the secondary markets.)
This diecut is rare enough that I wasn’t able to locate one good enough for the collection until just 2-3 years ago. Know that these diecuts were shipped folded. The fold line is between the second and third figures. Although there aren’t too many complete examples extant, many of the ones I’ve seen have separated at this fold line. Many, too, are missing the left-most figure for some reason.
RARE VINTAGE HALLOWEEN EMBOSSED JOL WITH HANDS AND FEET 12" GERMANY TABLE DECOR
Great stuff is slowly showing up on eBay. Given that this has over 4 days to go, collectors haven’t had trouble finding this listing as the bidding has already reached $2,325. I’ve only seen this diecut twice before seeing this listing, and haven’t had a chance to add it to the collection yet. This example is in the best condition of the three total. These exceedingly rare German diecuts were all produced around 1935 and sent to Canada exclusively.
08/22 Update: This sold for $6699.99, a price level well above what I would have thought reasonable. I received an email from another long-time collector who made a point that resonated with me. She said that prices being what they are today…”I would not ever be able to accumulate very much. And would have a hard time having real love for all those things that cost so much, now. When they cost a pittance, there was such a warmth for them.”
HUGE BEISTLE GERMAN DEVIL BAT DIECUT VERY RARE HALLOWEEN, FRAME INCLUDED
Although I am so very happy that this seller received such prices for many of their listings, I am confounded by this ending price. The seller very clearly outlined the condition issues, yet this devil bat diecut still brought a record price. Was it simply auction fever? I worry that results like this signal that the hobby is becoming restricted to the well-heeled.
KIRCHHOF HALLOWEEN NOISEMAKER WITCH BAT DRUM ORIGINAL VG COND
It is great to see a healthy selection of nicer items on eBay. This is a desirable tin litho noisemaker, made by Kirchhof during the 1930s. It is one of a set of two designs. Both can be seen on page 204. Both are exceedingly rare, with this one just a tad more commonly seen. The design is sometimes found in ratchet form, too. For some reason, the condition of the noisemakers with this lithography is typically poorer than with others. Overall, this example is in the upper third relative to condition.
09/22: Update: This sold for $283, slightly below what I would have expected at any other time of the year.
Rare Vintage Halloween Place Card in Mint Condition
I love this little gem of a place card. As the seller states, there is a lot going on within its borders. I have never seen this before, so I know it is rare. I am impressed with its eccentric design elements. I know it isn't Beistle or Dennison. Gibson was generally consistent in marking their items, so I rule them out too. It may be Whitney, but I think it was produced by one of the myriad small-market players like Volland, The Henderson Line, etc. What I do know is that if you don't jump on this now, you may never see another one - especially in this pristine condition.
VINTAGE RARE TIN HALLOWEEN NOISEMAKER WITCH BLACK CAT CLAPPER
Tin has been one of the coldest genres in the hobby for well over five years. Mint tambourines and the most unusual tin litho items are the sole things commanding substantial dollars, by and large. This exceedingly rare item surfaces perhaps once every two years. Unmarked, the graphics are whimsical and fun. The design is odd in that the handle is plain Jane. All of the effort and money was put into the two clapping disks. Made during the 1920s, sustainable guide value is $275.
VINTAGE PAPER DEVIL 14" EMBOSSED HALLOWEEN DECORATION GERMANY
What a nice surprise to see this exceedingly rare diecut being auctioned. This is the smaller of two similar designs. (The other can be seen on page 136.) Each is breathtakingly rare. The seller describes this as being in fair condition, but it seems better than that to me. Yes, the bends in the legs are somewhat off-putting, but the separation between the tail and the wing could be easily mended. The last time one was listed was almost exactly one year ago and it fetched $3,100. It was a mirror-image of this one and was in better condition and was much brighter. The Germans made this very late in their production of holiday items for the export market before WWII. These "last year" designs were almost exclusively exported to the population centers in eastern Canada and are among the most interesting, out-there designs the Germans made before WWII - and arguably ever.
Take a moment and read the questions and answers posted as part of the listing. They all ask for a BIN price to be added, fair game for collectors eager to get a dream piece without the uncertainties of the auction process. The seller is smart, saying basically no - there is too much interest. Read the pathetic question posted by a "Michael," who bangs on about how he wants one and then makes an eye-rollingly low-ball offer of $70. What a schmuck! I kind of hope he never gets to own one of these.
03/18 Update: I have heard from an avalanche of collectors since this auction ended last night, most stating that if they knew it was going to be sold for such a pittance, they would have bid. The moral of the story is always to place a bid for the maximum you'd want to pay, because sometimes you might score a bargain like whomever this prevailing bidder was. It sold for only $913.99.
1930's-1940's Halloween die cut Skeleton head with pirate hat
I don't believe I have seen this variant before. The seller incorrectly attributes this to Beistle. It was made in 1935 in Germany. I have seen the basic skull and crossbones diecut with three different hats before seeing this one, so there were at least 4 designs, but more likely a total of 6 designs. If the damage wasn't so obvious, it would be a candidate for acquisition.
VINTAGE HALLOWEEN GERMAN PUMPKIN SUIT CASE CANDY CONTAINER
Please see the item directly below, as it is of the same ilk. The seller, who writes that they have been collectors for over 40 years, inexplicably puts this very desirable German suit case (or purse) candy container made from 1916-1921 up on Ebay with a BIN of $75, a fraction of what this would have brought using the auction format! The size is somewhat smaller than the iteration more commonly seen, so who knows what it may have brought. Wow! Kudos to the buyer who was a fast mover, surely disbelieving in their incredibly good fortune.
