The same clueless seller referenced in the post below sold these exceedingly rare 3-D cards for a song, leaving another pile of money on the table. The key learning - as I’ve pointed out MANY times - if you don’t know about the value of an object, NEVER use the BIN format.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
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.
Vtg HTF Dennison? Beistle? Die Cut Spider`s Web 1950's HALLOWEEN Made in USA
This incomplete diecut was produced by Beistle during the 1950s. It was one of a set of four they produced during the mid-1950s. Missing is the spider made from black construction paper. (The others comprising the full set can be seen on page 158.) As I write, "Having an item like this spider separately attached to a diecut is unusual. More labor is required and the chance for defects increases the risk of returns. This may account for the mere three season run this diecut enjoyed."
VINTAGE JOL DIECUT~US MADE ~ STAND OUT FACE
Beistle produced this line of at least four different designs during the mid-1950s to wide yawns from the marketplace. They didn't catch fire then and haven't to date. The 3-D effect is rudimentary and the differently lidded JOLs are forgettable. Beistle was largely empty of creative juice by this time - and this line clearly shows it.
Huge 1930s Dennison HALLOWEEN DIECUT Stand-Up BLACK CAT * Over 25” Tall
The seller states this very tall black cat tabletop decoration with a 3-D effect was made by Dennison. Dennison was darn particular about marking their wares and they were clever about it, sometimes incorporating it into the small filigree or line work present in a significant minority of their goods. This doesn't appear to be marked. When I first pulled up this listing, I thought for sure it was actually a Beistle item. However, there are a number of key differences: the recessed eyes/nose/mouth and the lack of any facial detailing to name two. I can't find any reference to this kind of 3-D tabletop decoration in any of my Dennison Bogie Books, Price List pamphlets, etc. so this is a mystery. I love the way this seller takes such great care to point out whatever imperfections exist in the items he is auctioning.
03/02 Update: The seller was gracious enough to contact me directly, alerting me to the fact that this cat was shown in Dennison's 1934 Halloween Parties booklet. I had forgotten about those pages. Seeing something in 3-D is sure a lot different than seeing it on a page. Dennison must have been irritated with their chief holiday competitor when Beistle essentially ripped off the design and began marketing their own line of these kinds of items. Even though Dennison was first, I like the detailing of the Beistle line better.
03/07 Update: This rare Dennison cat sold for $150.49.
RARE BEISTLE HALLOWEEN FOLDOUT DIECUT
This is one of a trio that comprises a full set. The seller is correct in stating that this 3-D table decoration was made by Beistle. The complete set, made in the mid-1950s, is shown on page 231. This is the one that typically brings the most money when sold.
04/20 Update: Surprisingly, this fetched only $89.88.
HALLOWEEN Vintage US Stand-Up 3-D Table Decoration Moon Owl Scarecrow
Although creatively Beistle was in a downswing at the time this was produced in the mid-1950s, there were still glimmers of their imaginative prowess, as evidenced by this 3-D fold out decoration, one of a set of three. (The complete set is shown on page 231.) The other two, a haunted house scene and a graveyard scene, tend to fetch more money when they come up for sale, but all are cleverly designed and make great display items. Because each needs to be expanded to stand, wear is evident on the items in even above average condition. This seems to be in near-mint condition, so should command strong dollars at the auction's conclusion.
03/15 Update: And strong dollars were, indeed, obtained. This item in such great condition pulled in $172.50!
VINTAGE HALLOWEEN 3D TABLE DECORATION PRINTED CARDBOARD BEISTLE "HERE LIES"
Beistle made a trio of these ingeniously designed 3-D decorations in the mid-1950s, when their creative juices, by and large, were ebbing. Of the three (the others can be seen on page 231), this one is the best and typically the most expensive. These almost always have notable condition issues, which this particular example seems to have avoided. Sustainable guide value is $225.
vintage Halloween diecut
This is one of a set of three 3-D fold-out decorations Beistle made in the mid-1950s. (The other two can be seen on page 231.) These surface on a somewhat regular basis, but typically bring $150-225. This is a great example of how condition affects value. Instead of $150, due to someone carelessly ripping the one side, this only brought $32.99.
3 Vintage Beistle Halloween Die Cut Paper Folding Ghost Moon House Scarecrow Owl
These typically fetch $130-175 each, so the buyer got a good deal. Aside from Buy-It-Now items wherein the seller was clueless, I have seen many fewer good deals this season than in recent ones. I have had discussions with other collectors as to their thoughts on why this is so. Prices in the marquee lots were almost always driven by the same handful of determined bidders, but exclude these desirous folks and prices overall seem to have risen across the board, excluding tin and candy containers.
