The smaller form factor German compo candy containers seem to have the best molding detail. Just look at the contours of the JOL. This is truly a small work of art. There is at least one other design that comprises the set. You can see the devil next to the witch on page 65. The lister, stnick22, has listed ~150 lots, many quite good. There has been a fair amount of higher-quality items this calendar year. Has this unusual abundance pulled too many dollars out of wallets/purses, limiting the chances for things to bring gasp-inducing prices? (I have remarked to several collectors that prices seem soft overall.) I projected that the hobby would see several years of unusual abundance as the first generation of serious collectors dies off. This first generation focused almost exclusively on German lanterns and candy containers, so it follows that is what we’ll be seeing more of. This now-dying or already gone first generation didn’t pay much attention to paper, so we won’t be seeing much of this. I project that paper, especially small paper, has much room to run.
Blog
Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Antique Vintage Halloween Paper Candle Stick Candy Container Japan 1920s? Rare?
This candlestick candy container is a derivative of the one produced by the Germans from ~1916-1921. Although the dimensions seem to be nearly identical, the grace notes between the two are obvious. The German version has a more richly decorated and colored base. The German version’s handle is larger and more appropriately sized than the item produced in Japan. The surely after-market addition of the forgettable cat is unfortunate. If this was produced in Germany I would expect it to fetch no less than $2500. The item up for auction should fetch one-third of that figure in a normal market, which the one we are experiencing right now is most definitely not.
04/07 Update: This sold for a mere $312, far less than I would have thought.
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.
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.
Vintage Large Halloween GM Cat Driving Truck Candy Container
The G.M. Company produced several large heavy cardboard candy holders, all with unusual and memorable imagery. They also produced the much more common set of six smaller candy holders you can find on page 54. The larger holders almost never surface in nice condition. This one is in as nice of condition as they come. The bonus here are the sellers. They are close friends of mine who have a great (perhaps unsurpassed) eye for antiques and collectibles. You can wholly place your trust in their listings! Be sure to check out the other super items they have up for auction right now.
Antique German Halloween Candy Container Box Suitcase Train Case Saxony
It is a rush to see such a high quality item on a forum that has fallen so far since its heyday. This confection was made sometime between 1910-1914. The measurements the seller has provided would indicate this is larger than others I’ve seen. The condition is nice, but nowhere near perfect. Given what the seller is asking, I would have hoped the condition would have been far better.
Vintage Painted Glass Candy Container Pumpkin Head Figure Metal Lid & Bail Hdl.
I’ve noticed that the more interesting (and rare) glass candy containers have been bringing stronger prices over the last 60 days than in the past many years. I’ve not seen this example before. Given the remarkable paint job still clinging to the glass, the creepy hands and the well-rendered expression, I can see why this example brought such a strong price.
Antique Halloween German JOL Head Lady Candy Container Jack O Lantern Fab!
The Germans were able to portray such emotion in their moldings. One can almost feel the anticipation and joy this JOL-headed woman exudes through the skillful rendering of the body. This would certainly be a show-stopper in any display. The seller is a long-time collector who did the hobby a very great service with her publication in the 1990s of The Boo News, an informative, well-written newsletter with a diverse offering of articles. I own virtually every copy Dawn Kroma ever published, and cherish them for their information. If she has any copies left, I hope she’ll offer them up for auction. They are very much worth having as part of any collector’s reference library.
Vintage German HALLOWEEN Candy Container GHOST Grim Reaper on Log Composition
I don’t think this has much age to it. (I’d know for sure if I’d have the opportunity to examine it personally.) Little about the item is consistent with German candy containers I know to be genuine. The paint on the skeleton is mottled, the scythe is too glossy, the disk upon which the skeleton sits is too decorated and the ornateness of the tree stump base is inconsistent with truly old candy containers. The interior of the base is painted - another anomaly. I could see this being made anytime after the mid-1960s through yesterday. If you are interested in it, get the provenance from the seller and a money-back guarantee if your research indicates that it is a newer item.
RARE Very Large Antique Early 1900s Gerrman Halloween Pumpkin Candy Container
At ~8” high, this is the largest such candy container I’ve ever seen. The seller took a risk at starting it at $498, but the lot has received two bids already. What a monster!
Vintage Halloween Smiling Jack-O-Lantern Horseshoe Candy Container; Great!
It’s great to see pieces from this larger-than-thought set of candy containers made in Germany beginning in ~1916. Prices for any items from this set have been strong for years. I’ve never seen this particular form before so was doubly curious as to what it would fetch. Please refer to pages 58-60 to see pieces that form part of the collection.
1920s Halloween JOL SATCHEL Candy Box Squeaker RARE!
Two examples of this squeaking satchel have sold in the last ~18 months, one in the low $200s and the other in the low $300s. Like this one, they were made in Japan. This is not a German-made item.
09/26 Update: This sold for $399.99, a significantly higher price than the other two. I wonder if the buyer thought they were buying an item made in Germany?
Vintage Small German Composition Devil Halloween Candy Container!
These two diminutive German composition candy containers were originally sold as a set so it good to see them being listed at the same time. The ones in the collection can be seen on page 66.
09/22 Update: These brought strong prices: witch $511.05, devil $616.88.
Vintage German Halloween Devil Candy Container
There are a few high quality candy containers listed right now. This is a superior German composition candy container produced during the 1920s. Just look at that molding! The expression is captivating and the paint near-perfect. It’ll be instructive to see what this fetches.
WOW! Antique Made In Germany Halloween Paper Mache Candlestick Candy Container
I’m not sure what this is, but it wasn’t made in Germany. The seller describes it as being in “overall great condition.” Hmmm…. It looks like it has been through quite some torment. The candle portion of this thing has all the hallmarks of Japanese paper design - namely cheap, lifeless and forgettable. What shocks is that the item has been already bid up to $160.50 with over 6 days left. I’m not sure why. If you want to see the actual and elegant German design, turn to page 132.
04/02 Update: This atrocity actually brought $318.88.
