Incredible Beistle Halloween Spooky Tree Wall Decoration

It is nice to see a truly rare item listed on eBay. This is a large and imposing diecut! Here is what I have to say about this superb diecut in my third edition, made at the zenith of Beistle's creative powers: “A touch of mystery swirls around this object. All the catalogs I have examined, Beistle publications and the many ones put out by wholesalers over the years, indicate this embossed diecut was sold as one of a set of four. There were five large diecuts with scalloped edges made beginning in the early 1930s. (The other four can be seen in Diecuts.) Some catalogs show that at times this skeleton in the graveyard was sold with the seated cat while others show it was at times sold with the arched-back cat. The others, owl and broomed witch, remain constants. The point is that the skeleton in the graveyard is itself a constant in these publications, so why doesn’t it ever turn up?” Look at how the branches of the Wizard of Oz-like trees end in creatures. Dark and creepy! 

09/21 Update: A long-time collector snatched this up for $2500. I think he did very well indeed.

Antique Vintage Rare Halloween Witch Hat Aleinmuller

I have seen a handful of Aleinmuller hats for sale during the last 30 years but all save this one had significant condition issues. The paper used was of thin stock that simply hasn’t worn well through the decades. Most of the time there are significant chunks missing, major tears and/or creasing. This Aleinmuller hat is in the best condition I’ve ever seen. Hats like this are hard to display unless you have ample wall space - something I no longer have - so it isn’t for me. However, if you’ve coveted a colorful, busy Aleinmuller design, you mustn’t let this hat escape your grasp.

09/27 Update: This changed hands for a surprisingly reasonable price of $203.50.

VINTAGE 18 1/2" HALLOWEEN HUMPBACKED WITCH BLACK CAT DIECUT DECORATION UNCOMMON!

Beistle produced three large witch diecuts during the late 1950s. Each is extraordinarily difficult to find in collectible condition. This one seems to be in exceptional condition, making the purchase price a relative bargain in these days of an overheated paper market. Look on page 159 to see the other mates to this diecut. My favorite is the one in the middle with the worn soles. It is also the one that eluded my grasp for the longest time.

Vintage Beistle Halloween Witch Mystery Answer Board Game 1920's/30's

Beistle produced this rare Mystery Answer Board for a single season - 1932. I feel this version is more aesthetically pleasing than the larger white-backed Witch’s Mystery Answer Game they produced the year before. I can’t remember when I last saw this for sale. Even so, paying $400 for this item when it is in such poor condition is hard to understand.

Vintage Halloween Gibson Place Card “JOL Hanging From Fence Post”

Gibson produced a tally to match this well-designed place card. I wonder if they made a similarly-themed invitation, too? You can see the more ornate tally on page 270.

RARE Vintage Halloween nut cup party decoration

This is a very intriguing item. I have never seen it, or anything similar, before. I am curious as to the purpose of the holes punched in the base. What was this item designed to hold that such venting holes would be required? (If a reader has a theory - like Ross Perot - I’m all ears.) The imagery is super. I especially like the rare graveyard scene. (Graveyard scenes are surprisingly uncommon in the overall iconography of vintage Halloween.) I got a kick out of the directness of the seller when stating, “This is not a grand showpiece, but an interesting piece nonetheless considering it’s a rarity.” AMEN to that! I would love to have this as part of the collection, but the condition is too rough for me.

Halloween German Owl Accordian Decoration

I love that this fine seller included a photo of the 1920s German hangers she has in her collection. She is selling the owl with black accordion paper. I have never seen the JOL and the Brownie before. I once had a small collection of these but found them too challenging to display. (Anything part of the collection must be displayed - a primary rule for me.)

New Lantern Design From Tim Ramzyk of Pulp Novelties!

Wow! I just received Tim Ramzyk's 2018 Halloween pulp lantern, The Goblin, and LOVE it! As you know, it is rare that I tout anything but vintage items on this blog, but take a look at this captivating and unsettling lantern.

Tim is a Wisconsin-based artist who meticulously and painstakingly hand molds his own designs from a heavy, durable material. Including this year's true treat, The Goblin ($120), he has 6 designs in limited quantities at price points that are in a few words, way too cheap! The other designs are Nosferatu the Vampire ($120), The Witch ($110), The Skull ($110), The JOL ($90) and The Black Cat ($90).  He has just a handful of The Black Cat left. Tim tells me that once they're gone the design will be retired.

I am in awe at the workmanship and the true craft Tim brings to pulp design. I proudly have now five of his treasures on exhibit in my main display room. (For those who I've been lucky to host at my home, you know that in order for something to be placed in that room, it has to carry its own weight. These do, easily.) 

Having seen the meticulousness of these wondrous and limited edition objects, I can surely say the prices cited above are way too cheap. (Hurry, order quickly before Tim comes to his senses and raises them!) By the way, Tim numbers each of his creations, but better yet, impresses his seal into the base of each lantern. (Check out the last photo to see the impressed seal.)

For those who know me, you know that I rarely buy anything Halloween unless it is vintage. I've made an exception - and you should too. Snap these up before they are ALL GONE by contacting Tim directly at pulpnovelties@aol.com. He began listing his awesome creations yesterday on Etsy. Tim tells me that he plans to sell any and all Halloween designs only through the third week in October, or until his castings for this year are depleted, whichever comes first.

Halloween German Mini-diecuts, Cat by JOL Heavily Embossed, with Easel

Wow, here’s yet another result that indicates the vintage Halloween market is getting a bit too frothy. Although this mini-diecut isn’t commonly found, it surfaces enough that a selling price of $810 is simply not sustainable.

The Goldbergs On ABC Halloween Episode 10/24

Key production personnel on this long-running ABC comedy are lovers of vintage Halloween memorabilia. I was recently contacted to give formal permission for them to “…copy and enlarge collected decorations from the book Vintage Halloween Collectibles 3rd Edition…” I happily signed the “Props/Set Dressing/Artwork/Wardrobe Release” and have been told that whatever they harvested will be shown on The Goldbergs Halloween show scheduled to air on Wednesday, October 24th. I’ll be watching!

When A Listing Has Ended.....

eBay is trying to make it harder for interested parties to see details of finished listings. 

eBay's latest trick is to show you a completely different item than the finished item you clicked on. If you want details of finished listings or if you have clicked on a finished listing directly from my site, follow these instructions when the completely different active item pops up:  

At the top of the page showcasing the different active item you will see in a text block this wording, "The listing you’re looking for has ended." 

At the right of this text block, simply click on the "View Original Item" button. 

That's all there is to it!

Vintage German Halloween Pumpkin Jar

If I were to sell my collection, this segment of the market - the German porcelain Halloween tea set and its sundry assorted delights - would be the last to go. Made in two grand phases, 1908 through 1913 by Craemer & Heron, then by unknown manufacturers from 1913 through 1932, the diversity of their designs delights me. I’ve never seen this handled jug. The price paid was hefty, but there surely are a mere handful of these in existence, especially in this pristine condition. Check out pages 119-121 to see some very rare examples indeed.

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN OWL STICKERS DENNISON DECORATIONS-TO MEMORY OF JACK-O-LANTERN

Dennison injected their designs with energy and whimsy as sales plummeted during the early 1930s. Today, discerning collectors avidly pursue these diminutive treasures produced in relatively low numbers. This happens to be one of my favorite of Dennison’s slide boxes. I lament that this example being offered isn’t in better condition. Collectors regularly ask whether it is key to have a slide box complete with its contents. I strive to buy the best I can, so my answer is the more complete the contents and the better the condition the easier the decision to buy becomes.

09/25 Update: Condition is paramount. This only brought $89.

One Sided Beistle USA JOL with Vented Body Construction 1950s

I’ve liked the look of these 1950s Beistle vented lanterns since I began collecting. Much of Beistle’s output during this time was uninspired. Granted, these are far removed from the memorable design heights they achieved during their Golden Age, but nonetheless I have always liked them. I applaud this seller’s many excellent photos. I wish all sellers took such care. Other designs from this vented line can be seen on page 35.

Vintage Older Halloween Scarey Black Cat Die Cit Cardboard

This is merely a remnant of what should be a 3-D table decoration. Keep that in mind if you are inclined to bid on it. It was produced by Beistle during the late 1930s and into the early 1940s. You can see an intact example on page 230.