This Beistle garland is incomplete. They made two versions - one with 10 JOLs and one with 13 JOLs. Given that the complete garland was held together with easily bent rivets, garland remnants, like this one, surface more often than complete garlands.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Vintage 1930s Made in USA Light Cardboard Jack O Lantern Halloween Banner
This is a very desirable JOL garland produced by Beistle during the 1920s. Another reference cites this as being produced later but the generous use of primitive rivets or joiners throughout makes this unlikely. I have a complete, near-mint+ example in the collection, which appears on page 145. The seller is right - it originally was complete with 13 JOLs with rectangular block ends. This is only the second time I’ve seen this garland. I would encourage the seller to be more precise in her description relative to the 2 JOLs that fell off. Are they still extant? If so, making the garland whole is a small task, indeed, given how primitively the sections are joined. If complete, this garland is a must-have for serious collectors.
RARE! ANTIQUE 1930’s Hanging PUMPKIN 62” Garland Double Sided Halloween
Beistle produced at least two versions of this garland during the early 1920s. One measured ~60” while the other measured 72”. The 10-JOL version was produced earlier than the 13-JOL version. Most of these were one-sided. In any event, this seller is the very embodiment of the word optimist. They are asking $1,450 with an option to make an offer. Even in this day of overheated prices, it is worth at best $450 given the overall condition.
RARE! ANTIQUE BEISTLE DIECUT - PUMPKIN GARLAND
This exceedingly rare garland was produced by Beistle in 1923 to augment a display that would include either a Halloween elf or the fairy clock - or both. I’ve seen a complete garland only once before - when I purchased it perhaps 20 years ago. I’ve sold individual segments here and there but have never seen a complete garland at any other time in any other collection. So, if you love Beistle, this is a must-have item.
08/10 Update: This garland sold for an astounding $2,100 - and it wasn’t even in great condition. This ending price is another red flag to new collectors to steer clear of this once-accessible hobby unless their pockets are very deep indeed.
The garland in my collection is in near-mint or better condition. If you have bought a copy of my third edition from me, I’ll sell it for $2,500 plus shipping/insurance. Step right up…
Vintage Halloween String of Die Cut Owl Cat Witch Skull JOL Jack O Lantern
I have never seen this interesting garland before. I like the simplicity of the design, especially the skulls. This was surely made by a small regional manufacturer with limited distribution. This didn't come from any of the big houses like Beistle, Dennison or Gibson. I wish the seller had listed the length of the garland. It'll be fun to see where this ends up.
ANTIQUE VINTAGE HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN GARLAND DECORATION MADE IN US AM
This is a very rare banner, made by Beistle during the early 1920s. I've actually seen it only once - and that's when I bought it many years ago. It is a basic design with no mark, indicating it is early. It is complete with its full complement of 13 JOLs and two hanging ends. SGV is $300.
08/11 Update: This fab banner scored a very high price of $412.99. Congrats to the buyer!
09/01 Update: Another one sold from the same seller today for $474.99.
Vintage 7 Foot Halloween Banner - A Beistle Creation - Unopened - Pre 1960
Although this is not an item from Beistle golden age, it is still a nice banner. Being inside an unopened package with its original header card, this should have brought more money. I attribute the fact that it didn't to the well known phenomenon of "I've spent my vintage Halloween budget by early October" syndrome. The best time to sell vintage Halloween is from early May through the end of September. Although some lots here and there may sell well outside of this time frame, most don't bring what could be considered full value. Casual sellers of vintage Halloween material reflexively think that listing such items in October makes sense. It doesn't. Collectors generally have their displays out by mid-to-late September and have exhausted their budgets by the end of that month. The month of October is typically a great month to be a buyer - no doubt as the prevailing bidder on this banner feels.
RARE VINTAGE HALLOWEEN DENNISON JACK-O-LANTERN GARLAND ~ 67" LONG ~ 20'S, 30'S
This seldom-seen garland was made by Dennison and marketed as "String Em Outs." The set in my collection can be seen on page 250. It has 27 connected JOLs plus the original envelope. This item was referred to in Dennison's 1926 Price List pamphlet as having a stock number of H115.
