Nothing looks right about this devil head lantern: not the form, not the finish, not the inserts, not the wear. For all I know, it could have been made yesterday. I feel this has decorative value only, maybe a few Washingtons and a Lincoln at most.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
1931 Dennison's Halloween Bogie Book
Most of these larger form-factor Dennison Bogie Books were folded for mailing, so to find one without the standard center crease is unusual. Given that this was how they were mailed, I don't feel it is correct to consider the fold a condition issue. This example does have a prior owner's name written on the front cover, something this seller doesn't point out.
Vintage Halloween Rare 1925 Beistle Witch/ Cauldron/JOL Honeycomb Basket- LOOK!!
It is such a pleasant surprise to see an exceedingly rare Beistle item on the rather sad selling platform that Ebay has become. (This decay began when their management chose to compete with Amazon rather than focusing on cultivating sellers of rare, vintage goods.) This favor basket was sold from 1927-1931. Beistle made four different designs, all measuring ~4" x ~4". All of them have an RSIN of 2. The condition issues on this example could be easily rectified by a careful, competent paper restorer. (I can recommend ACA Paper Restoration in Devon, PA.) These baskets almost never become available for sale, so it'll be fun to see what this brings.
03/09 Update: Whomever was the prevailing bidder received a true bargain, snatching this up for less than $160. Bravo!
Antique 1920's German Halloween Paper Candy Container Jack O Lantern Figure
This small figural on a candy box exhibits a problem common to a high percentage of vintage composition pieces painted black - flaking. I have seen it so often for so many years now that it must be a quality inherent in the black paint used in the 1920s and early 1930s. In my view, such flaking underscores the age of the piece, so I typically don't find it too off-putting.
