I am blown away by what this game brought. The Jack-O-Lantern Target game was produced by Parker Brothers from 1929-1932 and almost never comes available for sale. As with most games, the most interesting aspect of it are the graphics on the box lid. Although nearly complete, missing only at least 7 cork bullets and the advertising card, the condition of the box is so poor that $1525 seems quite high. I bought the one in the collection at an auction in Minnesota in 2000. I have seen only a few since, all with much better boxes than this one. They all sold for significantly less than this one.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Vintage Halloween Beistle Luhrs Full Size Jointed Skeleton w/ Original Envelope
It is great to see some nice items being offered this season. This large envelope containing "The Perfect Hallowe'en Decoration" was produced by Beistle during the early 1930s. The value for this set lies almost entirely with the envelope. It is one that rarely surfaces in this shape. Sustainable guide value is $175.
10/16 Update: It may be that time of the year when most collectors have spent their vintage Halloween budget , as this fine enveloped item brought only $132.50.
Vintage Halloween Witch Riding Black Cat Diecut by Dennison C1920s-1930s
This non-embossed diecut with an energetic air was produced by Dennison and first appeared in their 1928 Price List pamphlet. Dennison had an unusual design aesthetic starting in 1928 and continuing through the very early 1930s. They ditched their fairy motif and adopted almost a Deco look with lots of movement implied in the design. The colors they used for their boxed items made at this time tended to be brighter with a very playful, non-threatening air. Dennison items made at this item are typically hard-to-find. The Depression settled in by early 1930, affecting most businesses. Dennison was no exception. They produced fewer but cooler new designs during this period than in the previous 4-5 seasons, and in smaller quantities. This diecut falls into this category. Relatively few were made, meaning that few are available today in collectible condition.
10/16 Update: Surprisingly, this fetched only $51. Whomever acquired this got a true bargain.
Vintage halloween Beistle Horn
We know now that Beistle did not produce these paper-litho horns. In fact, there is no record that Beistle authorized the use of the their imagery in the production of these horns. If you examine the horn's artwork and compare it to the items with a fairy motif that Beistle actually produced, there are enough stylistic differences to lead to a conclusion that these types of horns were produced with no license from Beistle. The leading culprit in producing unlicensed items at that time was Japan, so I believe these horns were made there.
Vary Rare 1930-40s Dennison's Halloween Witch Set of 5 Die Cuts in Original Box
Someone got a really nice bargain here. They scooped up a rarely seen set of 5 broomed witch cut-outs that Dennison first issued in 1926. Sustainable guide value is $300, so picking up this compete set at a more-than-50% discount has to feel great.
1920's Halloween Made in Germany Moon & Scary Cat Hanging Diecut Decoration
There is something very wrong here. With over three days left, this often-seen German diecut has received 132 bids and is now sitting at $3,550. This makes no sense. The vast, vast majority of these bids has been placed by a single bidder, followed by a bidder with a feedback score of 1 coming in and trumping the prior bids. I think this would be a great candidate for an eBay investigation.
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.
HTF LARGE Vintage Dennison Whistling Moon & Owls Halloween Decoration cardboard
Be aware that someone bought this complete diecut at a dime store than decided it would be cool to cut out portions of the eyes and cover them with crepe paper. Dennison, which began making this diecut in 1927, did not issue this diecut this way. If you decide to purchase this, it would not have any collectible value.
VERY RARE ANTIQUE BISQUE HALLOWEEN CHILD'S JACK O LANTERN TEA HANDLE GERMANY
This pleasing porcelain design was made in Germany sometime between 1908-1932, possessing the busy mark described on page 119 indicating a production date that is much earlier rather than later. Although this is only the second time I've ever seen this great item, it brought strong dollars considering the "ah too bad" damage so obvious on it.
Halloween Tin Tambourine Noisemaker: Witch with Cat & Bats on Paper Face 1930s
This fetched strong dollars over sustainable guide price of $195, especially considering the blob of discoloration on the face. I've heard from several collectors that this unmarked tambourine was sold as part of a "Gypsy Woman" costume boxed set issued by Collegeville during the 1930s.
VINTAGE ANTIQUE HALLOWEEN OWL POPS CANDY BOX TUB 5c BLACK CAT WITCH 50s OLD RARE
This Halloween Owl Pops bucket was produced by the E. Rosen Company of Providence, Rhode Island using waxed bucket blanks provided by the Lily-Tulip Corporation of New York, NY. We know that this was almost certainly produced before 1952 as Lily-Tulip moved their operation to Springfield, Missouri in that year. Rosen produced a number of ephemeral items with superb graphics in addition to what most collectors know them for - their Trix or Treats cards. If you collect Rosen items, this is a must have!
Vintage 1929-1930 DENNISON Black Cat Mechanical Tally Card
This cat head mechanical tally first appeared in Dennison's 1928 Price List pamphlet. Dennison produced three designs of what they marketed as "novelty tallies." The cat head and the JOL are somewhat less involved designs compared to the third one - a witch inside a flaming cauldron. All are hard-to-find in working condition. You can see all three designs on page 258.
Large 13" Vintage German Halloween Embossed Jack-O-Lanterns Diecut!
This result is truly pushing the very boundary of sanity. This windowpane diecut, one of a set of four made during the early 1930s, has never sold for anything remotely close to this (frankly) ridiculous level. $5799.99 is more than was paid ~10 days ago for a one-of-a-kind German diecut. Hey, I'm not greedy - anyone wanting the one shown on page 170 can have it for $3500. I am worried that these unsustainable prices are so daunting to new collectors that the overall hobby will be damaged.
Rare - Vintage - Halloween Skeleton Noisemaker / Rattle - Metal Toy 1960's
I don't understand a lot of the auction results I'm seeing. This noisemaker, a very cool 1960s design by US Metal Toy, is not particularly rare, as it surfaces with regularity. It typically changes hands for $225. As is so often the case here, there were only two determined bidders driving up the price to this wholly unsustainable level. Unless the prevailing bidder offers it to the underbidder, I am certain this price will never again be obtained for this item. Collectors: have patience unless money is no concern.
1920s Rare German Porcelain Children's Lidded Sugar Bowl & Creamer Set
The moment I saw this listing I knew both pieces would not have maker's marks to them. Why? These two items were both made in Japan and have perhaps half the value of their German counterparts, shown on page 120 of my third edition. (This seller, one of the collecting pioneers in this field, has not been an active buyer for many years. She references the now-outdated first edition from 2003.) Japanese porcelain tea set pieces were never marked. They have none of the grace and fine styling of their German brethren. The Japanese copied these designs, but turned out rather clunky versions that compare quite unfavorably to the German items. The asking price is far too high.
10/04 Update: I was sorry to see that some buyer paid $395 for these Japanese made items. I contacted the seller to have her correct the listing, but as is so often the case she resisted, boldly saying that the Japanese never manufactured such items. Given that she hasn't invested in a decent reference in over ten years, she is content to remain ignorant. I think fair market value is in the $175 to $200 range.
