The Beach & Arthur Paper Company was a paper novelty company engaged in the manufacture of napkins, tablecloths, plates and cups in a wide range of design and color during the span 1929 -1941. Beach & Arthur began producing matched sets of decorated paper tableware, the first in the United States to do so, in 1929 in Pennsylvania. The company operated a factory in Indianapolis, Indiana and one in Modena, Pennsylvania on or before September 1, 1937. The style of their fine artwork was very distinctive. The graphics were extremely well defined and symmetrically woven throughout the patterns of their designs. The disposable nature of their products, primarily associated with the food industry, combined with a brief 12 year production run makes finding high-quality examples difficult.
Excerpts from our long-established personal vintage Halloween collection representing the high watermark of condition and rarity.
We periodically add photographs as we maintain our archive.
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- Five coved luncheon plates, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, 1930s. Four differing vignettes separated by smiling-faced moons. Scarecrow pattern. 8″ square.
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- Set of four handled cups with coordinating coved saucers, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc., (incised name), 1930s, Handled cup: 2.25″ h x 3.25″ diameter, Saucer: 6″ diameter. Scarecrow pattern.
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- New Halloween Table Cloth factory sealed luncheon set, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc., 1930s, 36″ square (opened). Scarecrow pattern. Contents: One tablecloth and four luncheon napkins. This high-quality example is in remarkable condition.
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- Luncheon napkin, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc.,1930s, 13.5” square (opened), lightly embossed leaf design. Scarecrow pattern. This high-quality example is in remarkable condition.
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- Luncheon napkin, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc.,1930s, 13.5” square (opened), lightly embossed leaf design. Scarecrow pattern. This high-quality example is in remarkable condition.
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- Six coved luncheon plates, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, 1930s. Four identical vignettes separated by four identical corn shocks and pumpkins. Witch Trio pattern. 8″ square.
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- Coved luncheon and desert plate, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, 1930s. Four identical vignettes separated by four identical corn shocks and pumpkins. Witch Trio pattern. Luncheon: 8″ square. Desert: 6” square.
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- Luncheon napkin, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc., 1930s, 13.5” square (opened). Witch Trio pattern. This high-quality example is in remarkable condition.
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- Coved luncheon plate, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, 1930s. Four differing vignettes separated by alternating black cat and owl. Pretty Witch pattern. 8″ square.
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- Beverage cups, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc. (incised name), 1930s, 6 oz., 3.75” h x 3” in diameter. Pretty Witch pattern.
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- Complete set of eight nut cups, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc. (incised name), 1930s, 2 oz. cup, 1.5” h x 2” in diameter. This was sold with stock number 68H. Pretty Witch pattern. These high-quality, NOS examples are remarkably rare and in pristine condition.
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- Complete set of eight factory sealed nut cups, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc. (incised name), 1930s, 2 oz. cup, 1.5” h x 2” in diameter. This was sold with stock number 68H. Pretty Witch pattern. This high-quality, NOS example is uber-rare and in pristine condition.
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- Big Halloween Table Cloth, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc., 1930s, 40 x 60 inches (opened). Pretty Witch pattern. The table cloth design includes various motifs interchangeable with the owl pattern and conversely, creating increased profitability for the store owner by offering numerous coordinating possibilities for their customers.
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- Luncheon napkin, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc., 1930s, 13.5” square (opened). Pretty Witch pattern. This high-quality example is in remarkable condition.
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- Coved luncheon plate, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, 1930s. Four differing vignettes separated by identical geometric designs. 9″ square. Owl pattern.
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- Coved luncheon plates, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, 1930s. Four differing vignettes separated by identical geometric designs. This coordinating trio includes a 9″ dinner plate. Beach & Arthur steadfastly marketed their 8″ plates as luncheon or dinner and 6″ plates as salad or dessert. This 9 inch size is relatively uncommon. It was produced in a limited number of tableware designs
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- Big Halloween Table Cloth, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc., 1930s, 40 x 60 inches (opened). Owl pattern.
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- Luncheon napkin, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc., 1930s, 13.5” square (opened), Owl pattern. Interesting to point out the napkin is identical to the tablecloth apart from the graphics executed to scale.
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- Luncheon napkin, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc., 1930s, 13.5” square (opened), lightly embossed border. Compatible with Owl, Witch & Black Cat and Scarecrow patterns. This high-quality example is in remarkable condition.
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- Coved luncheon and desert plate, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, early-1930s. Four differing vignettes separated by four differing iconic Halloween characters. Witch & Black Cat pattern. Luncheon: 8″ square. Desert: 6″ square.
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- Coved luncheon plate, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, late-1930s. Witch & Black Cat pattern. 8″ square.
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- Beverage cups, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc. (incised name), late-1930s, 6 oz., 3.75” h x 3” in diameter. Witch & Black Cat pattern.
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- Set of six nut cups, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc. (incised name), late-1930s, 2 oz. cup, 1.5” h x 2” in diameter. Witch & Black Cat pattern.
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- Luncheon napkin, USA, Beach & Arthur, Inc., late-1930s, 13.5” square (opened). Witch & Black Cat pattern. This high-quality example is in remarkable condition.
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- Set of six nut cups, USA, Beach & Arthur (incised name), 1938-1939, 2 oz. cup, 1.5” h x 2” diameter, Cat and Jack-O-Lantern design, This was sold with stock number HNC7. Made for two seasons only.
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- Die-Cut Luncheon Napkin, USA, Beach & Arthur, 1938-1939, 13.25” square (opened), Cat and Jack-O-Lantern design, This was sold with stock number HDC7. Made for two seasons only.
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- Luncheon Napkin, USA, Beach & Arthur, 1938-1939, 13.25” square (opened), Cat and Jack-O-Lantern design, This was sold with stock number HN7. Made for two seasons only.
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- Luncheon Napkin, USA, Beach & Arthur, 1938-1939, 13.25” square (opened), Cat and Jack-O-Lantern design, This was sold with stock number HSN7. Made for two seasons only.
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- Coved luncheon and desert plate, USA, Beach & Arthur, 1939, Luncheon: 8″ square, Desert: 6” square, Halloween Cats on Teeter Totter design, This was sold with stock number HP89 and HP69 respectively. This artwork was surely designed for children’s Hallowe’en parties. It’s devoid of intricate graphic detail denoting earlier Beach & Arthur output signaling the metamorphosis into quintessential 40’s style and the transitioning of Halloween from an adult festivity. The plate is a typical square. No longer fancy, it is reminiscent of future Beach Products, Inc. output. Not only was the USA in the midst of wartime but Beach & Arthur was also on the brink of dissolution. This design was made for a single season only.
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- Nut cup, USA, Beach & Arthur, (incised name), 1939, 2 oz. cup, 1.5” h x 2” diameter, Halloween Cats on Teeter Totter design, This was sold with stock number HNC9. Made for a single season only.
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- Luncheon napkin, USA, Beach & Arthur, 1939, 13.5” square (opened), Halloween Cats on Teeter Totter design, This was sold with stock number HSN9. Made for a single season only.
