Timeline for Witches

Sane Halloween Observer

As a collector of vintage Halloween, I feel it is worth the extra steps to research the minutiae of these items' history for myself. And of the types of decor, this blog has frequently reflected on German imports (specifically time discrepancies per dates in modern guidebooks) --- but how about the historical availability of American-made merchandise?

Mulling over vintage catalogs now for both German and the U.S., I started to consider the creation of a timeline that would test the reference dates provided in various guides. Therefore this entry is an exercise, perhaps proving the wisdom in expanding one's available resources. And again I would stress that much of the content here (as with previously presented German catalogs) is pulled directly from archival records.

Following then are two timelines for two different witches --- American and German.

First up is this iconic witch (one-sided at 15"x23") by Beistle described in one catalog as "Always a popular Halloween character and a splendid wall or background decoration." In one recently printed guidebook* she is curtly dated as mid-1930s. In another (by an author* who visited the Beistle archives) the item is stated as having an initial release (which is a thoughtfully open-ended phrase) of 1933 with a print run lasting at least until 1949 (the end timeline for that book). While I am apt to trust the archive-referenced resource, I would still ask myself --- do we have any proof from past suppliers? And the answer is yes, with some surprising expansions of sale dates. Here's the Beistle witch timeline based on available resources.

1933
Beistle Witch: Initial Release Date
(source: Timeless Halloween Collectibles 1920-1949, Claire M. Lavin)

1934
Gellman Brothers (source: collection of blogger)

1936
Gellman Brothers (source: collection of blogger)

Slack MFG (source: collection of blogger)

1937

N. Shure (source: online auction item)

Slack MFG (source: collection of blogger)*

1938 

Slack MFG (source: collection of blogger)*

1940 

Levin Brothers (source: Ben Truwe's Halloween Catalog Collection)

Slack MFG (source: Ben Truwe's Halloween Catalog Collection)

General Merchandise Co. (source: Ben Truwe's Halloween Catalog Collection)

1941
General Merchandise Co. (source: Ben Truwe's Halloween Catalog Collection)
Slack MFG (source: collection of blogger)

1947 

Gellman Brothers (source: Ben Truwe's Halloween Catalog Collection)

1948
Beistle (source: dragonflydesignstudio & collection of blogger)

1952
Gellman Brothers (source: Ben Truwe's Halloween Catalog Collection)

1953 
Pico Novelty Co. (source: Ben Truwe's Halloween Catalog Collection)

  1954
Optican Brothers (source: Ben Truwe's Halloween Catalog Collection)

Gordon Novelty Co. (source: collection of blogger)*

Beistle "Bee-Line" (source: internet, unk.)

1955
Gordon Novelty Co. (source: Bcollection of blogger)*

 

1959
Pico Novelty Co. (source: collection of blogger)
Optican Brothers (source: collection of blogger)*
Willens & Company (source: internet)

1958-1959
Moratorium Date?
Not appearing: Beistle "Bee-Line" (source: Euclid Boo)

 

*Updated on 2-9-2023 for accessioning on existing entries only.

Be aware that the above timeline is not simply wholesalers (1934-1959) with possible overstock, but also the actual manufacturer (1948, 1954) who created the item for sale to the trade at relatively recent dates! (Note of course that you should not confuse vintage decorations with newer variations by Beistle). 

Second, what about one of those embossed diecut witches from Germany? This is where it gets murky. Again, no expert of collectibles has come forward with any firm manufacturer history, and the U.S. catalog presence for these items is fairly spotty. Let's take a look at the following witch.

1920's?
German Witch: Release Date?
(source: generalized date with no cited references in current guidebooks)

1929?

German diecuts but not this item
N. Shure (source: online auction item)

1936?

German diecuts but not this item
Slack MFG (source: collection of blogger)

1937?

German diecuts but not this item
The Herald (source: ad in a newspaper)

1948
Shackman (source: online auction item)

1955-1970's?
German diecuts but not this item
Einzinger's Narrenfibel (source: collection of blogger)

?
End Date Unclear

Quite a difference between these two witches. We have one with a very clear timeline full of archival catalogs, compared to a second with extremely little in way of referential evidence (that when she does appear is nowhere near the date in our modern guidebook). I'm going to let you draw the conclusions. 

I would also mention the facebook group Halloween Antiques to help expand your available resources  And again, since it was so often referenced: Ben Truwe's Halloween Catalog Collection.

*Please note (because of distracting tribalism and cronyism in the market) it is preferred here that entries consult the historical record and market results rather than the conflicting overlap of promotional commentators, appointed experts, and sales people that often overlap.