Vintage Halloween Tambourine Rattle & Whistle Jack O Lantern - Germany

This German shaker was produced during the early 1930s. This well-made item consists of reinforced fibered paper pulled taut over a cardboard frame with encircling thin wood borders. Most of the time there would have been small bells attached to the front and back, but when the handle doubles as a whistle, as in this case, these bells were not originally included. I’ve seen a lot of these and this is in much better-than-average condition. This seller has begun with a reasonable opening price.

06/04 Update: This sold for a strong $179.50.

Vintage Kirchhof Metal Slide Whistle Halloween Noisemaker

When I was a new collector I saw these fairly regularly. Times sure have changed! I haven't seen one being offered for sale for some time. It’s great that some nice items finally are being listed on eBay after a dispiriting run where virtually all listings were forgettable. The RSIN for this slider noisemaker is 2 with a sustainable guide value of $150. Kirchhof made this nicely designed slider in the early 1930s. I can't think of similarly designed tin litho noisemakers, so if you don't have this yet in your collection, this item looks to be in very nice condition.

08/04 Update: This great item sold for $156.28.

Vtg Halloween Jack-O-Lantern Diecut Cardboard Advertising Whistle Wayneboro PA

This is one of the earliest Halloween noisemakers. Patented on April 20, 1909, F.G. Fawkes and Company of Chicago made money by allowing many firms to brand the generic image with their advertising. The one in the collection touts the Boston Store, while this one touts Beck & Benedict. As I write on page 211, this whistle was used as an advertising gimmick by numerous retail establishments.