Hallmark Halloween Part 1: 1950's
Hallmark
Vintage Halloween Collectibles
Part 1: 1950's
Volume 3 of guidebook research series The Halloween Retrospect (available on THR's Bookstore via Etsy) is underway from the library desk of the archive - this time with a focus on vintage Hallmark Halloween collectibles. As a preview of book content (which will be on related subjects though notably different in content) this entry, and those upcoming, will attempt to develop a better timeline for Hallmark vintage holiday products starting 1950 to the cutoff date of 1980. This will be specific to party-centric ephemera including assembly, honeycomb, and centerpiece items. Readers will likely notice, as with “Decrypting Dennison: Serial Number Guide Featuring Autumn Publications” (THR, V2), that it lends to better results when one looks beyond our Halloween obsession.
Shown here is the store box for shop owners that contained
a unit (or 12 sets) of the Haunted House party items.
a unit (or 12 sets) of the Haunted House party items.
Vintage Hallmark Halloween
Party Decorations: 1950's
As noted with other research by THR, the archive will look toward primary sources which in the case of vintage Hallmark includes: The Hallmark Archives, and numerous news items (such as advertisements), as well as a full range of online sales. This makes it relative to note that THR is offering a viewpoint from these many perspectives - not a single opinion of market availability. Therefore, while Hallmark may state a date, or an advertisement might state a date, it is wise for us, if very much interested in a particular piece, to search through vintage sources that could expand the view.
Below are some of the Halloween items discussed in the full blog entry over at The Halloween Retrospect: Hallmark - see Hallmark Halloween: 1950's.
Above, The Hallmark Haunted House has been seen
in store advertisements from 1954 to around 1958/59.
in store advertisements from 1954 to around 1958/59.
Above, The Halloween Cat by Hallmark has been seen
in store advertisements from 1956 to around 1958.
in store advertisements from 1956 to around 1958.
Above, party decoration "Eerie Witch" has been seen
in store advertisements from 1956 to around 1958.
in store advertisements from 1956 to around 1958.
in store advertisements from 1958 to 1959/60.
The Halloween Retrospect Series
While waiting for the next volume - be sure to see those that came before (listed below). The books offer bunches of more info than that which is found on the blog. Get the books for more data, sources, posters, and other inserts...
Article samples from guidebook Volume 2, THR.
Volume 2 of The Halloween Retrospect:
$25.00 + tax/shipping. (Etsy THR Bookstore)
The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 2 continues the tradition of researching America’s past Halloween marketplace. The guidebook’s feature article examines Dennison publications with significant finds from Framingham History Center. As well, V2 offers information on B. Shackman & Co, E. Rosen Co., and certain German imports (see cover art).
Article samples from guidebook Volume 1, THR.
Volume 1 of The Halloween Retrospect:
$25.00 + tax/shipping. (Etsy THR Bookstore)
The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 1 is the first in a series of new guide books (in digest form) to offer critical perspective of the traditional narrative surrounding vintage Halloween markets, and by result offering important information to collectors in the field.
Visit @halloweenretrospecs:
