I have learned to really examine these mini-diecuts for variations. This arched-back black cat mini-diecut has differences from the one I own and that is shown on page 185. Look at the positioning of the legs and the shape of the tail. I don’t have a theory as to why these variations surface so regularly with these mini-diecuts. This went for less than I would have thought.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Vintage Halloween Skeleton Jack o lantern Owl Cats Lot
I sure wish I could have been at that estate sale and snatched these items right up! The buyer almost surely got a tremendous bargain. Not only are the 1930-1 Beistle lanterns a key find, but the assortment of German diecuts is quite nice. Don’t let the small bat escape your notice. The lot has already been bid up to $356. It has a lot of room to run.
Rare Antique German Halloween Diecut Paper Pumpkin Pirate with Cats Tiara
Of all the tiara or diadem German diecut designs, this is one of the hardest to find. As mentioned in a post some weeks ago, there was a strong blip up in prices for these tiaras for a short period of time, but that force has dissipated. These will typically now sell in the $700-1000 range. The last one sold for $597, a bargain compared to 18 months ago. I expect this one will fetch a bit more than that. We’ll see…
Antique German Halloween Paper Mache Black Cat on Pumpkin Candy Container
This German composition candy container looks right to me. Beginning in the 1990s, this design was reproduced, but with at least two ways to immediately spot a reproduction: the pumpkin was not much wider than the cat’s bottom and the cat was mostly smooth with none of the detailing you’d expect to see with authentic German wares.
Vintage/Antique Over-the -head Mask Halloween
These over-the-head masks were first made in Germany during the teens. This one is particularly spooky, don’t you think? These were relatively expensive when first produced and tended to be sold at the “better” stores. Today, few have survived and the current price on this mask of $760 with 1+ days to go illustrates their desirability and scarceness.
09/19 Update: This scary item fetched $1,375!
RARE antique German Halloween die cut windowpane with witch vintage GREAT!
I’ve seen many examples of this diecut over the years. The condition of this one being sold by a knowledgeable and honest seller is in the top five of all those I have seen. Because these are so large they are prone to lots of surface paper cracking and typically have suffered the indignities of tape and multiple punctures. The description indicates this example has largely escaped those problems. The way the colors have mellowed on this one is pleasing. I hope this does well. It is heartening to see such a quality item amidst all the crapola that one has to wade through now since eBay changed their holiday categorization system.
RARE Vintage Halloween Candy Container Grinning Cat on Pumpkin German Pre-War
The buyer of this fantastic candy container came by yesterday to show it to me. I think the seller’s photos, which didn’t accent the playful bee on the side of the cat or show the candy container in its best light, caused the price to descend to bargain territory. Frankly, the paint and detailing are top-notch. The size of the item is perfect and it is a wholly pleasing item overall. The price should have easily crested $1,000. A take-away here is critically look at the photos. If you feel details are left out or there can be better photos provided, ask for more.
RARE VINTAGE HALLOWEEN EMBOSSED JOL WITH HANDS AND FEET 12" GERMANY TABLE DECOR
Great stuff is slowly showing up on eBay. Given that this has over 4 days to go, collectors haven’t had trouble finding this listing as the bidding has already reached $2,325. I’ve only seen this diecut twice before seeing this listing, and haven’t had a chance to add it to the collection yet. This example is in the best condition of the three total. These exceedingly rare German diecuts were all produced around 1935 and sent to Canada exclusively.
08/22 Update: This sold for $6699.99, a price level well above what I would have thought reasonable. I received an email from another long-time collector who made a point that resonated with me. She said that prices being what they are today…”I would not ever be able to accumulate very much. And would have a hard time having real love for all those things that cost so much, now. When they cost a pittance, there was such a warmth for them.”
ANTIQUE GERMAN CROW DIE CUT VINTAGE HALLOWEEN EMBOSSED RARE FREE SHIPPING
It’s great to see some nice items being offered by such reputable sellers. The description for this 1920s German crow diecut is spot-on. Although not as rare as its mate that looks directly out, this design is desirable and not often seen. The condition is definitely in the top quartile of those I’ve seen.
06/15 Update: This sold for $311.
Vintage Halloween Die-Cut, Embossed Decorations & Paper Masks from 1920s
Here is another example of an impatient, under-informed seller who left gobs of money on the proverbial table. This listing lasted all of 8 minutes before some lucky soul snapped it up for a laughable $30 plus postage. The crow diecut alone should bring $250-400.
Vintage German Halloween Poster Featuring a Black Cat
This exceptional item looks to be in unbelievably nice condition. I’ve only seen this variant with factory inserts once - and I bought it. It now appears on page 172. The Germans seemed to produce these variants with inserts only occasionally. (Other examples appear on pages 171, 177 and 181.) If you like rare German diecuts, don’t let this one slip away.
10/13 Update: This brought an unbelievable $2,225!
Vintage Halloween Skeleton Made in Germany Embossed Jointed Paper
Even with many condition issues, this ultra-rare German jointed skeleton diecut brought $450. What makes it so rare? The size is the rarity factor. These were made in several sizes. The smallest and most common measures 27”. The largest and rarest measures 50”. I’ve only seen this size a handful of times.
Vintage German Halloween 1920's Twelve Panel Lantern Mint
The seller has to be ecstatic to have gotten this record-shattering price for one of the most common lanterns from this period. These 12-panels were printed in Germany (and are so marked) but at Beistle’s direction. These were produced in huge quantities for several seasons and then were wholesaled for many more. These typically trade in the $150-200 range.
Prices for vintage Halloween have largely gone crazy, a long-term negative for the growth of the hobby. How will newer collectors afford to enter the hobby when such common items sell for boobish prices?
Vintage German Halloween 1920's Large 37" Heavily Embossed Jointed Skeleton
Those industrious Germans produced jointed or articulated highly embossed skeleton diecuts in three sizes. The 27” version surfaces regularly. This seller auctioned one of these that brought $188.75. This 37” version is much less common - and the ending price reflects this fact. The largest one of all measures 50” and almost never comes up for sale. It would probably crest $1000.
Vintage Halloween Black Cat Noisemaker Ball Pan Clapper GERMANY
This tin litho pan clanger was produced in Germany during the late 1920s. It is quite rare, so even with its missing back clapper it is worth far more than the $35 the seller asked for in by listing it as a BIN.
