Vintage Halloween Collectibles Research (1900-1979)

Sane Halloween Observer More familiar faces (or Totenskelett a.k.a. dead skeletons ) from German-language catalogs for the celebration of Karneval . This time from 1974 --- the last image (a nautical pirate theme) contains a skeleton figure (articulated, embossed, diecut) that was here available in 2 sizes - 70 cm (~27 1/2") and 125 cm (~ 50").  Update 12-13-2015 Per some additional queries to those selling these old catalogs, as well as further research by another into more recent editions... it appears years 71/72 , 74 , and 76 have nearly 90% (?) of the same content, though I have not personally observed this with actual copies. I've been told the skeleton seen above didn't always have the same sizes available from year to year. 

Sane Halloween Observer The title of this entry is something of a deliberate misnomer. It follows on the heels of two previous entries  Diecut Bubble?  and  Seven Spooks in Narrenfibel 1968 / 1970  concerning the presence of vintage products that appeared on either side of the Atlantic. Each previous entry was intended to dispel a centric notion that... "because we celebrate Halloween here in North America, there couldn't possibly be any of that imagery (as vintage decor) found or sold elsewhere in the world." Surprise! While it's been apparent that European and Asian festival items have snuck into past price guides, it was about two years ago that I began to also question  availability   dates  ( not necessarily production dates ). This was due to discovering vintage "Halloween" decorations in German-language catalogs printed as recently as the 1970's. ( See  Seven Spooks in Narrenfibel 1968 / 1970 ). This catalog displays themes for...