Blog

Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.

Dennison, Vintage Halloween, 1920’s Boxed set of 6 Owl Diecuts

One of my favorite market segments is the boxed Dennison products. I began collecting these early and that fervor remains unabated. There has been a noticeable and sustained uptick in interest (and therefore, prices…) for Dennison boxed items, especially for those items produced with their Art Deco look issued from 1928-1932. I had two Dennison boxed items in my recent auction. Both were strong performers. This box of owl cut-outs is a stolid design, yet is doing quite well with over six days to go as of this typing.

VINTAGE DENNISON HALLOWEEN BOX SET 6 CUT OUTS GIRL OWL JOL HAT H-94 ANTIQUE COMP

This is a tough slide box of Dennison cut-outs to obtain. It was only within the last few years that I added this product to the collection. This is one of my favorite sellers. He has been listing a solid number of A and B level items, bravely doing so in the face of eBay’s inexplicable “improvements” to their listing categories. Be sure to add this knowledgeable seller to your list of favorites so you can stay abreast of his offerings.

Dennison28.PNG

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN EIGHT DENNISONS NO. H-37 WITCH DIE CUT OUTS & ENVELOPE 1940'S

I believe the envelope and the broomed witch cut-outs are fake. I have a vintage set in the collection and there are material differences. The problems I see are many: the image on the envelope isn’t centered; the image of the witch intrudes on the Dennison logo; the feet of the witch are blocky, lacking all of the detail present in the authentic example; the envelope differs in size from the authentic example; the envelope appears to be made from a coarse paper; the envelope is constructed differently from the authentic example; the flap isn’t shaped the way Dennison shaped their flaps; the cut-outs lack the detail present in the authentic examples, especially in the outline of the cape. I would tread with caution. Ask this seller many questions. If someone buys this, feel free to send it to me for my perusal. This seller has also listed a fence with an envelope with the stock number missing. This latter set has been reproduced. A very discerning collector in North Carolina bought such a set and sent it to me for my perusal. I concluded it was a fake. He managed to get a refund. Whether this was the seller for that transaction is unknown.

07/30 Update: This listing, containing items I believe to be faked, ended at $61. Whomever bought this, I invite you to contact me to arrange shipment so that I may inspect this in person.

08/08 Update: The buyer has just today sent these to me so that I can personally examine them. I’ll post my findings when they arrive.

08/10 Update: I examined the envelope and contents today. The entire thing is a fake. An additional anomaly I noticed is the tittle in Dennison is missing. The cut-outs are notably smaller and do not exactly match the envelope’s printed image. The authentic cut-outs would cover the printed image precisely. If you are going to purchase items from this seller, trappedintheshadow, ask many questions of her.

Dennison36.JPG

6 VINTAGE 1920's-30's Dennison HALLOWEEN Party Cut-Out Decoration OWL on branch

This set of six Dennison owl cut-outs was sold in a glassine envelope for a single year, 1922. For that year, the stock number for the set was H-48. Beginning in 1923, the same cut-out in the same quantity was sold in a slide box with a different stock number, H-99. Subsequently, I’d say this glassine envelope form of packaging would be significantly harder to find than the slide box packaging. You can’t go wrong with the seller, one of the finest purveyors of vintage Halloween on eBay.

04/23 Update: This sold for a relative bargain: $128.50.

Dennison16.PNG

6 Vintage Dennisons Haloween Cutouts

This is a tough boxed set of cut-outs to find. Add that to it being complete and in near-mint condition, I am not surprised it brought a strong price. Dennison first issued this set in 1924 with a stock number of H101.

sold137.PNG

Complete Set 6 Dennison Owl Cut-Out Vintage Halloween Decorations with Box, 1923

Dennison is rightly best known for the myriad of superbly designed boxed sets of seals, cut-outs, illuminated silhouettes and the like they produced from about 1913 through the 1960s. (The best of their production happened from about 1916 through 1930.) Some of their slide boxes are difficult to find while others more steadily become available. As this fine seller states, complete near-mint or better boxed sets are becoming harder to find. This particular set tends to be seen more than others and the guide value reflects this. These typically trade for $95. 

Vintage Dennison Carrot creature cut out Boxed Set (6) 1928-30s-RARE-H409-HTF

The seller has finally decided to begin the auction at a price point well below sustainable value, typically a wise move. Collectors want to feel they have a chance at a bargain, so starting items at a fully valued price typically ends in a cycle of listing and relisting. This boxed set from Dennison first began being sold in 1928. The design lasted just a few seasons accounting for how hard it is to find this set. The fact that the cover cut-out has become dislodged is not material as it is present and can be re-attached. Sustainable guide value is $325. This seller is known to me as conscientious and wanting to convey accurate information. One should feel comfortable placing bids with them. (Go Blackhawks!) 

09/11 Update: Inexplicably, this great set brought only $152.50. 

Vintage 1920's Dennison Halloween Cutouts, Original Box, Carrot w/ Face

Whomever the fortunate buyer was got a major score in scooping up this errantly priced BIN listing. Dennison produced this boxed set of 6 anthropomorphic carrots for one or two seasons beginning in 1928. The set is coveted and nearly always trades for ~$325. Sellers should stay away from BIN listings unless they have expertise in the item's field. This poor schmuck sacrificed nearly $200 for simply not doing the necessary research before listing a fine item.