Vintage Halloween Collectibles Research (1900-1979)

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.

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 ...

Sane Halloween Observer Yet another awesome mid-century merchandise package for what must have been the popular "haunted house carry-case" genre..., this time from Brach's Fine Candie s circa 1955. You can see the handi-pak described in the 1955 Halloween Candies brochure : No. 5101 - Trick or Treat Handi-Pak Haunted house design on satchel-shaped pak contains minimum of 70 assorted cello packets of Candy Corn, Halloween Jelly Beans, Orange and Black Imperials, and Assorted Creme Cones. Empty satchel serves as a container for Trick or Treat loot. Net weight per pack 22 1/2 ounces. 16 Handi-Paks to case.  For more haunted house candy-boxes see  Witch's Chest  and  Candy Loot .   

Sane Halloween Observer Mid-century (date unknown) vintage Halloween merchandise box with dual purpose as trick-or-treat carry case. According to ingredient information could contain either bubble gum or suckers in the original package. Produced by Thomas-Wiener Co. of Memphis, Tennessee. Below are two views - one side offering plastic-covered peek-a-boo glimpses of contents.

Sane Halloween Observer While prices on vintage German-made diecuts were optimistic this year, one might wonder if, like tin toys, this will be the next vintage Halloween category to fall on hard times. While much of the purchasing Halloween audience is likely viewing the market for only a few weeks, and thus continuing to see embossed diecuts as occasional novelty --- those watching the entire year saw many designs repeatedly available and sometimes more common than some tin toys. Will the diecut bubble burst as they become more and more visible, and new knowledge is gained about their production numbers and availability? Following ( without direct reference to buyers or sellers ) are some interesting examples of what I call the vagaries of vintage prices: ONE : It was surprising that one lot (from a well-known auction house) sold extremely weak in early September (just weeks before the big holiday). Ten German diecuts together with two product packages sold as a lot for ...

Sane Halloween Observer A 1955 sales vendor catalog by Brach's with awesome mid-century graphic design, illustration, and layout techniques. Don't forget ( spoken   in your best informational 50s voiceover ) that "HALLOWEEN is one of the year's THREE BIGGEST CANDY OCCASIONS"... "It has a long selling season from Labor Day to October 31"... and... "Because Halloween candies are exciting, colorful candies, they offer exceptional opportunities for colorful EXCITING CANDY DISPLAYS." And after looking at this awesome catalog, I certainly believe every word of it! Oh for a Halloween time machine!  (Click image below to view a larger version - or view on Pinterest ).  (Click image to view larger).