This is not a vintage item. It was produced in 2003 under license from Beistle by a now-defunct party goods manufacturer. See page 154 for more information. It has little collectible value.
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Mark B. Ledenbach's vintage Halloween collectibles blog.
Vintage 1929 Hallmark Halloween Invitation - Bats, Black Cat, Owl
When I first saw this listing I was immediately enthralled. I knew it was a previously unknown invitation produced by Hallmark - and I wanted it! However, my enthusiasm dimmed when I saw its condition. Although sometimes there is a true trade-off between condition and scarcity, I felt this was too badly compromised to add to the collection. Given that it sold for next-to-nothing, I probably should have placed a low bid. Because of its rarity, it probably would have become a permanent place holder.
Vintage HALLOWEEN c1920 PLACE HOLDER Rust Craft SCARECROW Art Deco EX CARPENTIER
I was interested in bidding on this Rust Craft item, but when I looked more closely at it I was afraid that the greetings card may have been trimmed. It is hard to be sure, but I was concerned enough that I decided to pass. If the buyer is a reader, please let me know if it appears trimmed in person.
12/16 Update: The buyer shared close-up photos of the card’s borders. The item had not been trimmed post-production. Yay! The card is a rare and desirable Rust Craft product in near-perfect condition.
Vintage Dennison Halloween Parties Games Decoration Favors Stunts Magazine 1934
It is hard to find a copy of this 1934 Dennison publication in decent condition. Relatively few of these were printed as the Great Depression had tightened its icy grip on the nation at that time. (In fact, Dennison ceased printing this last of the Bogie Book cousins after the next year.) This copy may be one of the best I’ve seen. But, the price is stultifying. I feel $125 is the right price for this great item.
Antique Gibson Halloween Fortune Owl Get Wise “Pick a Feather” Rare Collectible
This very large game is quite hard to find in decent, complete condition. There are a myriad of condition issues with this, but the colors look bright and the detached ear can be remedied easily. The seller is offering it for a BIN of $900, which seems overly valued. I think a fair value is in the $500-600 range.
12/13 Update: The seller has finally dropped the asking price from $900 to $630 - close to my recommended fair value range stated above.
Rare Vintage Halloween Cardboard Die Cut Beistle Witch Moon 1930-1950 Embossed C
I love all twelve diecuts that comprise this set. Beistle often trimmed the bottom of this diecut, something they didn’t seem to do with the others from the set. I wonder why?
RARE Antique Christmas Germany HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN HEAD MAN Glass Ornament w/ LEGS
This is certainly a rare crossover item - an early Halloween ornament meant for a Christmas tree. Bidding has been strong on the listing. As I write this, it has been bid up to $305 with over three days remaining. I put out a 7.5’ black Halloween tree each year. (My newest one was purchased from Vickerman.) This would look great on it, so maybe I’ll be a bidder!
Happy Halloween 2025!
Where does the time go? Halloween day is bittersweet. Yes, I’m looking forward to the trick-or-treaters, but not to taking down all my seasonal displays.
Thanks for checking out this blog and my site during this year!
Happy Halloween 2025
HTF Vtg 1930's HALLOWEEN DIECUT Witch pulling hair of Crescent Moon Centerpiece
Beistle made a plethora of hats - some quite forgettable. This hat falls into the unforgettable category. There are two sets of Beistle hats that are devilishly difficult to complete. One is the fairy hat series of four shown on pages 240-241. The other is the oddly-named New Moon series of four, two of which are shown on page 239. I’ve been collecting seemingly since the dawn of time and I’m still missing one of the four designs. The one up for auction is rough, but most of these designs are found rough. Even so, with over a day to go the bidding is at $137.50. Two of the hats show new moons while the other two show crescent moons. I’m eager to see the ending price.
vtg UNUSUAL Halloween Pumpkin Jack-O-Lantern JOL diecut
This little printed JOL is a remnant refugee from a reproduction of the Hallowe’en Fortune Teller “Pick A Pumpkin” game shown on page 125. Truly vintage such remnants would have a fortune printed on the reverse. A reproduction of this game has been made of late with the backs blank.
Vintage Halloween 1930'S Dennison THIS WAY Owl Die Cut Wall Sign Antique USA
I wonder why people would bid this up to $74.76 given its condition?
RARE Antique Vintage Halloween Fighting Cat Diecut Banner Decoration Beistle 30s
Although this banner is well designed, this particular example is in poor condition. That didn’t prevent the lot from making a strong $135.50. Since this banner comes up now and then, the price seems excessive to me. Now, if it were in perfect condition, I could see it making $350.
1930’s Vintage Halloween Gibson 3-D Flying Owl Die Cut Rare 7” Version
This clever Gibson owl decoration was so popular that two sizes were produced. The other is much larger, measuring ~11” long. Both would have an equal RSIN, 3. This hanging decoration is tough to find in very fine or better condition. The example on offer is significantly better than most that I’ve seen.
MINT GERMAN COMPOSITION ADMIRAL CANDY CONTAINER VINTAGE HALLOWEEN ANTIQUE
The nearly 200 lots that stnick22 offered ended yesterday with several doing quite well. This admiral candy container surprised to the upside. I am open to selling the one in the collection. It appears on page 76, lower left. If you are eligible to purchase items from me and are interested, drop me a line.
RARE Antique Vintage Halloween 1912 Johnstown Celebration Metal Lapel Pin!
I learned from my last auction (March 2025) that there is an avid collecting base for vintage pinbacks with a Halloween connection. Few survived, so when examples surface, competition is fierce. This pinback’s graphics are exceptional - and it is quite early. I am eager to see what it fetches.
10/17 Update: This brought an astounding $438.23!
