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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.

EXCEEDINGLY RARE Vintage Halloween Diecut Centerpiece Decoration, Beistle 1955!!

This magnificent centerpiece was produced by Beistle in 1955. Beistle’s design engine was sputtering at this time, so much of their output then was forgettable and/or retreads. However, they managed to probably even surprise themselves with the two (and only two) centerpiece designs made at this time. Both are full of action and easily captivate the eye. They rarely surface in collectible condition. When they do the common defect is total separation at one or both joints. Although this example doesn’t suffer from that defect, it is by no means perfect. In my view, though, the defects are reasonable and to be expected. As I type this, the bidding is already at $200.50 with 15 bids, so I fully expect the ending price will be significantly higher. The two 1955 centerpieces are amongst my favorites in the collection. They are large, bold and pretty damn awesome.

07/14 Update: This sold for $382, lower than I would have forecast.

Vintage Halloween Scarecrow Celluloid Viscoloid

Celluloid, especially those items produced by Viscoloid, have enjoyed a strong run-up in value over these last few years. (In fact, few vintage Halloween market segments have been spared the concerning run-up in value. As long stated, I worry about the hobby becoming the near-exclusive playground of the deep-pocketed.) This nice scarecrow suffers from a stomach ailment that any competent restorer can remedy with a little suction cup. I’d pay more attention to the sellers - two of the most knowledgeable (and generous with their knowledge) and fair-minded collectors I have the absolute pleasure to know. Be smart - add this seller to your list and watch what they offer. You will never go wrong with them.

09/19 Update: This sold for the relative bargain price of $197.50.

Early Antique Halloween Jack-O-Lantern Scare Crow Die Cut Standing Decoration

This seller has at least three listings of items I’ve not seen before. This is one of them. I believe this was produced by a regional paper manufacturer with quite limited distribution - certainly not by one of the bigger names like Beistle or Dennison. I like the artwork and the simple colors. If condition was better and there wasn’t that post-manufacture applied bit of crepe I’d be a bidder.

01-25 Update: This sold for $37.00

(2) Early Halloween 7 3/4" Jointed Crepe Figures WITCH & SCARECROW. c1930s NR

The seller is off by up to three decades as to when these were made. Both the scarecrow and witch "whimsies" were made by Beistle during the 1950s. (An owl was the third design of the set.) Only later, almost certainly under license, were these designs made in Japan. The designs marked as being made in the United States have sustained collector interest. When the ones marked "Japan" do sell, they bring half or less of what the older ones made in the USA bring. 

Vintage Large Die Cut Jointed Halloween Scarecrow Decoration! 3'

This overly large scarecrow diecut was made by Beistle from 1960-1962 and illustrates the plunge in derring-do the company experienced in wanting to roll with the times. Silly and benign displaced challenging and memorable design by this time in Beistle's history. Their Golden Age for Halloween was 1918-1940, followed by a period punctuated with some creativity from 1941-1955 then followed by a long decline in artistic vision exemplified by this doofus. 

Vintage Beistle Halloween Roly Poly Scarecrow, Diamond Mark, Orange Honeycomb

This listing presents a minor mystery. This scarecrow roly-poly was one of four designs Beistle issued in 1930. (You can see all four on pages 226-227.) Beistle's own marketing material says this: "Assorted four designs, printed on cardboard both sides, in full Halloween colors. Stands 8" high and with heavy weighted honeycomb tissue ball bottom, 5" in diameter." Beistle issued all four of the designs with the same stock number of 692. My theory is that this one-sided item was a salesman sample. The handwritten notation references the stock number, a price and a price per gross. My theory is simply that. If someone has another insight, I'd definitely love to hear it. 

10/18 Update: This item only brought $105.50, much less than I would have thought. 

HALLOWEEN Vintage US Stand-Up 3-D Table Decoration Moon Owl Scarecrow

Although creatively Beistle was in a downswing at the time this was produced in the mid-1950s, there were still glimmers of their imaginative prowess, as evidenced by this 3-D fold out decoration, one of a set of three. (The complete set is shown on page 231.) The other two, a haunted house scene and a graveyard scene, tend to fetch more money when they come up for sale, but all are cleverly designed and make great display items. Because each needs to be expanded to stand, wear is evident on the items in even above average condition. This seems to be in near-mint condition, so should command strong dollars at the auction's conclusion. 

03/15 Update: And strong dollars were, indeed, obtained. This item in such great condition pulled in $172.50! 

vintage Halloween diecut

This is one of a set of three 3-D fold-out decorations Beistle made in the mid-1950s. (The other two can be seen on page 231.) These surface on a somewhat regular basis, but typically bring $150-225. This is a great example of how condition affects value. Instead of $150, due to someone carelessly ripping the one side, this only brought $32.99. 

5 New Old Stock Bagged Vintage Halloween Decorations. Cats, Witch and Scarecrow!

This assortment consists of designs originally conceived by Beistle but later copied by the Japanese. Whether this copying was done with Beistle's cooperation, or even knowledge, is not known. These copies were done in the latter half of the 1960s and have very modest value as the ending price for this lot was $49.95. The older originals, clearly marked "Made in USA," have greater value.