Here’s an example of price inflation. This Dennison invitation sold on 09/13 for $243.50. One in the same used condition sold 07/27 for $122.50. Interestingly, the one not even identified as being produced by Dennison received nearly triple the bids.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Very Rare 1916 Dennison Trifold Invitation Ghost Vintage Halloween H-27 Stock
Prices for many things seem to be out of sync with where values have been even recently. Take this Dennison invitation. Is it desirable? Obviously. Is it scarce? Yes, no surprise given it is 110 years old. Is it worth $566.99? Four bidders seem to think so. Would I pay that? Certainly not for one that was used and glued into a scrapbook. Near-mint examples have recently sold in the $300s range, so this represents a substantial increase over the recent “baseline.” I have long fretted that prices have become so elevated that the lifeblood of any collecting market - new collectors - would dry right up. I had a newish collector write yesterday that she is reevaluating her desire to collect vintage Halloween. That’s too bad because it is such a great hobby populated by so many fun and interesting collectors. But do I get it? Sadly, yes I do.
