If I had to select one segment of the vintage Halloween collectibles market that I love the best, the German porcelain items would be my choice. They are getting harder to find with each passing year - probably true of most great items. The Germans were stupefyingly creative in coming up with fairly outlandish items to supplement the basics like the teapot, creamer, lidded sugar, cups and waste bowls. (Check out pages 119-121 to see what I mean.) This is a somewhat better than basic piece since some waste bowls are faceless. Made from 1908-1932, this little gem was made at a later point in that range given the mark. SGV is $150.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
VINTAGE 1950’S HALLOWEEN WITCH CLICKER TOY
Here's a tin litho clicker that I haven't seen for sale in a while. In terms of Halloween output, Japanese material is largely derivative and poorly made, hence the market for their items has never taken off. There are exceptions, though, and this visually engaging diminutive noisemaker is one of them. I'm glad to have one as part of the collection. If you like strong design coupled with a modicum of rarity, this is just the item for you.
09/04 Update: This sold for a very strong $169.50.
Vintage Halloween Bridge Tally Card 1920’s Excellent Condition
This is a good example of what I mean when I refer to SGV, or sustainable guide value. This same seller listed an identical item that ended on August 14th for $82.77. The second identical listing ended on August 22nd for $37.99. If a seller were to list another one in the near future the price should be even lower. At some point, the "bedrock" value of the item would be established at, let's say, $25. That latter figure would then be the SGV. The values cited in my reference are for an item's SGV.
09/02 Update: The same seller sold a third identical item on September 1st for $53, an unexpected result. The same seller listed a fourth identical item today. That selling price should be conclusive in establishing an SGV.
(3) Vintage "Halloween" Candy Holders Decorations/Place Settings
These pieces comprised part of Beistle's first party set issued in 1918. There were 74 pieces to this set It is an extraordinarily difficult set to find complete. Beistle significantly reduced the number of pieces to 34 in their next iteration, released in 1922. Their final party set was released the following year with 30 pieces.
VINTAGE EMBOSSED WITCH ON BROOM TIARA HALLOWEEN DIE CUT DECORATION
Wow, eBay is sure a strange marketplace. So many collectors have expressed astonishment over this result, it must be an aberration. I am lucky enough to own all twelve of these diadems or tiaras. Trust me, I'm willing to sell any one in the collection for this price. Transfer the sum via Paypal and let me know which one you want.
Vintage Canco Halloween Cookie Candy Tin Round Container Box Owl Jack O Lantern
I've always liked this understated tin container. As you know, these are generally beaten to hell and back, but this one looks to be in very collectible condition, no doubt the reason it garnered so many dollars. It is a very soothing scene. Some collectors feel this is from the early 1950s, but I feel it is from the 1930s.
Antique German Halloween Noisemaker Witch Cat Devil Jack O' Lantern Rare & Fine
This rattler is indeed rare as the seller states. It was produced in Germany during the early 1930s. By that time, the Germans were producing far fewer exported novelty items in smaller and smaller quantities as their political leaders' attentions drifted toward war. Although I've seen this tin litho noisemaker a handful of times, I've not seen it in this nice of condition. This is truly an item for which it will be worth ponying up some bucks. As of this writing it would sell for $60 with over four days remaining. I expect it to go much higher.
08/28 Update: $675.99 - WOW!
Vintage Halloween Cat Diecut 1950's Hallmark
I'm glad to see this seller listing some fine material. She is one of the rare long-time collectors who has long loved small paper. You would be hard pressed to find a nicer person in the hobby! You can buy from her with confidence. This mini-diecut is definitely something Hallmark issued, but I believe they issued this in the later 1920s through the early 1930s. They used this glossy stock with red backing only during that small interval.
1925 Halloween Wicket Witch Basket Decoration Made in U. S. A.
This Beistle favor basket looks to be in exceptional condition. Beistle ultimately produced four favor basket designs, selling them from 1927-1931. This version tends to bring the most dollars second only to the witch wearing a skull decorated garment. (You can find all four designs on page 225.) A few of Beistle's early advertisements to dealers showed four favor basket designs with one featuring skeletons. That one was never produced. Instead, the skeleton design was dropped in favor of the pedestrian owl design. There is no documentation explaining this seemingly last minute change.
08/28 Update: This sold for $373.88.
Vintage Unused Original 40s or 50s Beistle Spook's Trip Halloween Party Game
About 10-12 years ago, a small cache of mint Spook's Trip games was found and briefly washed over the market. I haven't seen that many unused examples since then. Beistle produced this diminutive game during the 1950s. SGV is $100.
08/21 Update: This sold for a strong $152.50.
09/25 Update: Another sold on 09/21 for $169.16.
Antique Paper Mache Halloween Goblin Lantern / Candy Container Germany
This homely German candy container/lantern combo was probably produced during the 1930s, based on the decorative paper that lies at the base of the lantern head. The Germans used that kind of paper at that time as well as post-WWII. The BIN price seems high. Why not just start it at $500 and let the auction takes its course? For items that don't surface everyday, I don't understand the tendency to slap a BIN on something.
First Generation Collectors....
I recently had another discussion about the state of our fun hobby with a few deeply knowledgeable and savvy collectors. We agree that over the next 5-10 years we will see the dissolution of those collections amassed by the first generation of those who fastened upon collecting vintage Halloween. Their collections are coming to market as a result of their passing on to the great beyond or in anticipation of it. As I wrote back in late 2017, most of these collections are heavily weighted toward candy containers, figurals, German JOL lanterns and USA pulp JOLs. It stands to reason these genres will see a medium-term dip as these long-held collections are absorbed. Interestingly, it was the unusual collector who concentrated on collecting paper items like table decorations, enveloped or boxed Beistle products, diecuts, invitations, tallies and place cards. Because fewer collectible examples from many of these market segments exist relative to candy containers, figurals and lanterns, prices for them should not only continue to be strong, but will strengthen further. This trend will be exacerbated by the relative dearth of these items coming to market as the first generation dies off. Another factor to consider is that today's collectors typically have less disposable income to shunt toward hobbies. This will certainly impact the market in ways that I think I can see but obviously don't yet know. One especially savvy collector frequently opines that we (meaning collectors in their 50s) are the last generation to have the means to amass large collections. If any of you faithful readers have opinions, please send them my way.
Vintage Halloween Nut Candy Party Cup Containers Lot 3 ea. Black Cat Witch
Beach & Arthur products, especially their plates, have been desired items for several years. Their design sensibilities were far better honed than their competitors like Tuttle or Reed. Whereas the latter made a dizzying array of party basics like napkins, plates and cups, their designs are largely forgettable. Beach & Arthur, on the other hand, had a stable of artists that sought to differentiate their products - and succeeded in doing so.
ANTIQUE VINTAGE HALLOWEEN PAPER WITCH HAT GERMANY
Here is another result that defies understanding and will never be repeated. I think the pop-up 1920s German hat has superb graphics, but not $500 worth. Looking at as much of the bidding history that eBay now allows, it is apparent that two collectors with deep pockets were vying for this. I'd say the one who walked away without the hat is better off. There are at least three pop-up hat designs. They typically fetch a sum in the range of $150-200. I am shaking my head as I type this. Ridiculous....
Rare Boogie House Ghost & Spooks Halloween Candy Box
I really like this diminutive gem. I had one many years ago, sold it then spent the next several years regretting letting it go. It took me that long to find one in good enough condition to be part of the collection. I bought it flat, have folded it together exactly once and now it sits serenely in one of my many display cases. It wasn't designed to have a bottom as I feel it was made in the early 1950s to fit over a box of candy, probably made by Brach's. SGV is $100. The last one I saw sell was in 2014. It fetched $81.
08/11 Update: This brought a strong $159.05.
