This is a reference that doesn't often surface. It is a fact-filled work on Beistle honeycombed items. It provides clues crucial to dating when Beistle was actively manufacturing many of their more iconic items from their Golden Age. I used my copy when working on all three editions of my book, Vintage Halloween Collectibles.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
HALLOWEEN CATALOG COLLECTION BY BEN TRUWE, PURCHASED DIRECTLY FROM BEN TRUWE
Just as in many genres, stellar prices flush out like items. The first of these great references brought ~$285, whereas this one fetched $224.50. As additional copies in similar condition surface, the price should drift down to what I consider a sustainable level - around $100. Congrats to the seller, a good soul who has long been on my list of those with I love to do business.
Ben Truwe's THE HALLOWEEN CATALOG COLLECTION 55 Catalogs from the Golden Age
This little gem of a reference book is darn hard to find. Ben Truwe issued it in 2003. I used it as an excellent reference to date when items were handed off to the wholesale market, both for my 2007 second edition and 2014 third edition of Vintage Halloween Collectibles. (If you haven't yet purchased a copy of my new reference, there are ordering instructions under one of the tabs along the top border of this site.) I found it to be an invaluable reference, carefully crafted and containing heaps of great information if you are research-oriented like I am. I haven't seen one surface in years, so snap this up.
02/02 Update: Two very determined bidders drove the price for this to the stratosphere and beyond. I don't see this final price of $286.78 being a sustainable one. I felt the listing would end with the book being purchased for around $100.
Halloween Collectibles by Mark B. Ledenbach
Here's a blast from the past. This was my first effort, published by Krause in 2003. Even I only possess a single copy of this, my first edition. (The newly released third edition is FAR superior!)
PAPERBACK BOOK HOLIDAYS TOYS & DECORATIONS PICS VINTAGE HALLOWEEN
I believe this to be the first book published that showed a selection of high-end vintage Halloween items. First available in 1985, no doubt many of these treasures have now been dispersed into other collections. Although the book profiles artifacts from all the major holidays, it is still a worthwhile addition to any collector's reference library, although this particular copy is a bit rough.
06/18 Update: This well-loved book brought $37.99, a surprising amount.
