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.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
1920's Rare Beistle Devil Diecut, Jointed
It is satisfying to see some real treasures amongst the dross that makes up this eBay category! I have seen this non-embossed diecut come available only a handful of times in my nearly 30 years of collecting. This diecut was produced by Beistle during the mid-1920s. There is a somewhat slightly more common variant Beistle produced without the tail, but I find it less interesting. The condition issues the seller conscientiously notes aren't concerning. If you appreciate iconic Beistle imagery, don't let this great piece slip by. I like the design so much I've included it in the Inner Sanctum section of the 3rd edition with a guide value of $325-375.
09/05 Update: This sold for an astounding $922! Looking at the bidding history, there were at least 7 different bidders who pushed it beyond guide value, indicating that that value may be much too low.
Vintage Halloween 1930s Beistle Broomed Witch and Cat Cutout Diecut Good Cond
Beistle produced this broomed witch diecut in the early 1920s. These were sold in assorted enveloped sets similar to the ones shown on page 147. The diecut is made from a light construction paper stock and is non-embossed. This is a classic Beistle design and I am not surprised that even with the flaws, this item brought a respectable price.
VINTAGE HALLOWEEN BEISTLE LAUGHING MOON DONUT & MUG ORIGINAL DIE CUT DECORATION
Beistle was desperate for a spark of creativity when they included this decidedly non-Halloween diecut as part of a diecut set they issued in the late 1940s. I've never understood their decision, but feel it indicates they were running on fumes at that time.
Rare Beistle Halloween Die Cut Decoration Made In USA Green Witch w/Bats 19" 50s
This superbly designed diecut was produced by Beistle in the late 1950s as one of a set of three. Each is hard to find in collectible condition. Made from a thinner, non-embossed cardboard stock, this particular design has eluded my grasp for decades. (I tend to be sometimes too fussy about condition. I was never considering a bid on this item.) The three witches of the set are all idiosyncratic - and therefore quite interesting and memorable. This is actually my favorite design. As I write on page 159, "Get this hag a new pair of shoes!" In near-mint condition, this diecut would easily fetch $300.
Witch Cardboard Halloween Decoration with Broom Wand with a Cat Head Bat & Moon
I have long searched for this diecut, but have been foiled over the years by the same issue dogging this listing - poor condition. Beistle made a set of three witch diecuts in the late 1950s. (All are shown on page 159.) Each witch looks decidedly grumpy. Each is depicted with odd touches: one has green shoes, one has a humped back and one, this one, has shoes that need to be re-soled. Interestingly, if you look closely at each in the set, what appears to be the artist's initials can be discerned.
01/04 Update: This diecut sold for $92, less than one third it surely would have fetched had the condition been near-perfect.
Antique Vintage BEISTLE ? Halloween Die Cut Cats Rolling a Pumpkin
I bought one of these diecuts from this seller about one year ago. They sent it in a mailing envelope with no protection, hence it arrived damaged with creasing where the creases on this one are. (I suspect this is the very one I sent back.) They were wholly unresponsive to my concerns until I was compelled to get eBay involved. Once that happened, they were argumentative and unpleasant. I will never do business with them again.
