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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- Hallowe’en Pennant Banner, USA, Beistle, (no mark), 1918-1920, non-embossed. This banner incorporates eleven pennants, 11.5″ h x 5” w, having differing iconic Beistle imagery, flanked by two broomstick pennants measuring 11.5” h x 2.5” w. Thirteen pennants comprise a complete banner. This example represents the apex of condition.
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- Complete enveloped set of Eight Assorted Cat and Witch Hallowe’en Silhouettes, USA, Beistle, (printed name) 1925, non-embossed. Envelope: 11.25″ h x 6.5″ w. Cat: 3.75″ – 9.75″ h x 2.75″ – 7.75″ w. Witch: 4.25″ – 9.5″ h x 3.75″ – 7.5″ w. This envelope was misprinted in error when manufactured. Beistle inadvertently overprinted and stamped their hoot owl silhouette imagery over the now faintly detectable ‘Eight Assorted’. This additional hoot owl graphic most likely occurred post printing. Beistle produced a mechanical bat and hoot owl set. The envelopes had a number of variations, orange being the earliest. They were marketed as mechanical Halloween silhouettes. Beistle repurposed and reduced several iconic graphics to accentuate numerous products including their rattles. The condensed hoot owl graphic was printed and appears on the the cat rattle box seen below.
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- Lavin, Claire M., Timeless Halloween Collectibles 1920-1949, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2005, p 33.
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- Table decoration, USA, Beistle, (no mark), 1930s, 9” h x 12.5” w. This non-embossed table decoration was made for a single season with limited distribution. Shown resting horizontally on a supporting surface.
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- Table decoration, USA, Beistle, (no mark), 1930s, 9” h x 12.5” w. This non-embossed table decoration was made for a single season with limited distribution. Shown vertically upward in an upright position.
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- Table decoration, USA, Beistle, (no mark), 1930s, 9” h x 12.5” w. This non-embossed table decoration was made for a single season with limited distribution. Shown resting horizontally on a supporting surface.
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- Table decoration, USA, Beistle, (no mark), 1930s, 9” h x 12.5” w. This non-embossed table decoration was made for a single season with limited distribution. Shown vertically upward in an upright position
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- Flaming Hallowe’en Fortune, USA, Beistle, (diamond mark), late 1920s. This ingeniously designed two-fold candle holder with candle flames of fortune is billed on the envelope as “An ideal Table Center Piece and Game.” The attractive tabletop centerpiece can also be used as a fortune game as the flames are removable. It consists of a lithoed cardboard and tissue candle holder with candle and six JOL-faced flames of fortune all representative of Beistle’s attention to detail. This achievement of thoroughness carries over to the envelope’s intricate graphics depicting a party scene with six place settings for six fortunes, an elaborately festooned boarder, and the title, ‘Flaming Halloween Fortune’, lending the illusion of flickering flames. The minutest detail is given full attention. The candle holder with candle measures 6.25″ h x 7″ diameter. The complete set of six flames of fortune is housed in this printed cardboard envelope measuring 6.50″ h x 8″ w. A slightly later iteration was produced complete with twelve flaming fortunes packaged in a printed glassine envelope measuring 9.25″ h x 8.75″ w.
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- Howling Cats with Jointed Movable Tails Hallowe’en Wall Decoration, USA, Beistle, (no mark), 1933. Six 12” panels making it a 6’ wall decoration. This example is immaculate.
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- String-Em-Outs, USA, Dennison Manufacturing Company, Framingham, MA., 1926. Contains 30 connected, identically dual-sided JOLs, each 2.75” square, 120″ l. This set was manufactured for only two seasons. Premiered in the 1926 Bogie Book. A complete example in exceptional condition; considered exceedingly rare.
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- Set of four JOL invitations, USA, Dennison, early 1920s, 3″ h x 3″ w.
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- 1 Hallowe’en Novelty, USA, Whitney Company of Worcester, Massachusetts, early 1920s, set of four light cardboard interlocking sides forming a veggie people centerpiece, 6″-6.25″ h x 4.75″-5.75″ w per section, non-embossed. The four interlocking sides were housed in a plain white envelope entitled “1 Hallowe’en Novelty” having a stock number of 77.
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- Complete boxed set of 6 Novelty Invitations and 6 Envelopes, USA, Beistle, (no mark), late 1920s. When these invitations are opened the old witch will pop up. Box: 5.25″ h x 4.5″ w. Invitation: 5.75″ h x 6″ w (open). Shown are two invitations, one closed and one open.
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- Complete boxed set of 10 Hallowe’en Tally Cards, USA, Beistle, (no mark), early 1920s, light gloss flat paper stock.
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- Cat busting through scroll invitation, USA, Dennison, first appeared in their 1929 Price List pamphlet, 3.75” x 3.5” w. Note the unpunched section mid-right side.
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- Enveloped set of 5 Assorted Invitations, USA, Beistle, (no mark), 1918-1920. This is perhaps the earliest Beistle packaging I’ve seen. Beistle produced three versions of these folding invitations with subtle design and packaging variations during the span 1918-1925. This set represents the earliest and rarest of the iterations and probably dates to 1918. The envelope is made of a noticeably heavier card stock. Envelope: 5″ h x 4″ w. Invitations: 4.50″ h x 2.50″ w. An exceptionally rare example in remarkable condition.
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- Enveloped set of 5 Hallowe’en Invitations, USA, Beistle, (no mark), 1918-1922. Envelope: 5” h x 4” w. Contents: 3.25″ square (unopened). This is perhaps the earliest Beistle packaging I’ve seen. Beistle issued these folding invitations during the span 1918-1925. This set represents the earliest and rarest of the iterations. It’s devoid of the detailed artwork that festooned the later ‘Party Helps’ enveloped set. Beistle’s first inclination was to issue things in somewhat plain envelopes, with envelopes getting more ornate during the production run. Beistle’s “Hallowe’en Party Helps”, 1923-1925, contained six folding invitations. Beistle’s boxed and enveloped iterations of “Hallowe’en Party Set”, and “Children’s Hallowe’en Party Book”, copyrighted 1923, consisting of thirty pieces for a party of four contained four punch-out invitations printed on one side only.
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- Tri-fold invitation with witch chasing sprite, USA, Dennison, 1920s, 3.25″ h x 3.5″ w (closed).
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- Tri-fold invitation with startled boy peeking through fence, USA, Dennison, first appeared in their 1920 Bogie Book, 3″ h x 4.25″ w (closed).
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- Tri-fold invitation with two arched-back black cats-on-a-fence fighting, USA, Dennison, 1920s, 2.5″ h x 3.75″ w (closed).
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- Enveloped set of Four Assorted Hallowe’en Folding Invitations, USA, Beistle, (no mark), 1918-1922. Envelope: 7.5″ h x 5″ w. Contents: 3″ h x 8″ w (opened). Beistle assigned stock number 610 X to this set. These tri-fold invitations were issued during the span 1918-1922. This set represents the earliest singular iteration. Two Halloween party sets “Complete Party Outfit” boxed set, 1918, consisting of seventy-four pieces for a party of eight and “Complete Party Outfit” enveloped set, 1922, consisting of thirty-five pieces for a party of four contained eight and four assorted invitations, respectively.
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- 8 Giant Silhouettes for Hallowe’en Decorations, USA, Beistle, (stated on envelope), 1918-1920. Beistle issued this enveloped set of ‘giant’ silhouettes for two seasons only. They produced enveloped and boxed silhouette sets in a multitude of designs, sizes and quantities throughout the 1920s. Later sets contained larger quantities of silhouettes although much smaller in size. This enveloped set of 8 giant silhouettes was the earliest version issued. The envelope is made of a thin paper stock. The silhouettes are made from a light construction paper. Envelope measures 13.25” h x 11” w.
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- Beistle’s 8 Giant Silhouettes for Hallowe’en Decorations. These silhouettes are original to their envelope. The silhouettes measure 2.75″-7.75″ h x 6.50″-14″ w.
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- Enveloped set of Hallowe’en Party Helps – 10 Small and 3 Large Silhouette Seals, USA, Beistle, (stated on envelope), 1920s, 5″ h x 4″ w.
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- Boxed set of 25 Assorted Hallowe’en Silhouettes, USA, Beistle, (diamond mark), 1929-1930, 7.25″ h x 5.75″ w. Contents include unused, un-punched silhouettes and instructional decorating suggestions.
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- Enveloped set of 10 Hallowe’en Cat Head Seals, USA, Beistle, (no mark), early 1920s. Most Beistle packaging is coveted and hard to come by. The earliest packaging is less interesting as there is nothing to it except the simplest of descriptions and an example of the contents glued to the front. Beistle hadn’t yet added the detailed artwork that festooned the later variety. The condition of the envelope is well below my normal acquisition threshold. However, given rarity and desirability, I bought it as a placeholder. Envelope: 5” h x 4” w. Contents: 3“ diameter.
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- Complete Set of Mechanical Nut Cups, USA, Beistle, 1938. This astonishingly rare and remarkably pristine set of mechanical nut cups, issued for merely one season in 1938, is comprised of four designs. Each design has been recycled and slightly modified from the art Beistle used in their 1930 -1931 roly-poly set and 1933 rattles set. All have a mechanical action and are printed on thin flat orange paper stock. These are sizable, measuring 7” – 7.25” h x 5” w unfolded, 4.50” – 4.75” h x 3.25” l x 2.25” w, assembled, this set having never been assembled.
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- Three nut cup designs, USA, Dennison, (printed name), late 1920s, 4.25″ h x 4.25″ w (unfolded). Four designs comprise a full set. These unassembled examples are in remarkable condition.
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- Set of four Hallowe’en Nut or Candy Trays, USA, Beistle, (no mark), early 1930s, 5″ h x 3.25″ – 3.75″ w. I know of only one complete enveloped set, previously held in the collection. I have never seen these trays being offered for sale, even separately, so I suspect they were made for only a single season. These unassembled examples are in remarkable condition.
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- Set of Six Assorted Hallowe’en Pumpkin Head Place Cards, USA, Beistle, (no mark), early 1920s, 3.25″ – 3.75″ h x 4.25″ w (unfolded). High quality unused examples in remarkable condition.
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- Complete set of four place cards with flip-out bases, USA, Beistle, (diamond mark), 1931-1932, 2.75″ h x 4″w x 4.25” l. They are lightly embossed, unusual for a Beistle place card.
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- Enveloped set of Three Novelty Place Cards, USA, Beistle, (stated on envelope), 1928, 5″ h x 4″ w. This is a packaging variant I hadn’t seen before, a bit earlier than the one housing 4 items, but only these three designs. The fronts are moveable.
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- Enveloped set of Six Assorted Hallowe’en Place Cards, USA, Beistle, (B Co mark), 1918-1921. Envelope: 7.5” h x 5” w. Place Cards: 4.25” h x 2.75″ -3.25” w. These place cards were designed to be suspended from the edge of a glass. The hanging tabs are often missing. I’ve seen only a handful of these sets complete with envelope. This original set contains two witches, two cats and two ghosts.
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- Enveloped set of 5 Pumpkin Head Favors, USA, Beistle, (no mark), 1923-1925. The Johnny Pumpkin Head family of decorations was made by Beistle during a brief window of 1919-1922, except for this size, the smallest of the brothers, which was made in three variations during the span 1923-1925. This set represents the third and rarest of the iterations. These are smaller, brighter and have no easels. Instead, there is a prop that unfolds from the side enabling the item to stand. This set was made earlier in the range as it’s devoid of the detailed artwork that festooned the later variety. Beistle’s first inclination was to issue things in somewhat plain envelopes, with envelopes getting more ornate during the production run. Envelope: 5” h x 4” w. Contents: 5″ h x 2.25″ w.
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- Meet Johnny Pumpkin Head – The Brownie. Beistle designed and issued a multitude of brownies, influenced by the fairy-like sprites originated by Canadian author and illustrator Palmer Cox in the late 1800’s, comprising the curiously compelling Johnny Pumpkin Head family beginning in 1919. Here is verbiage taken directly from their 1923 catalog: “Johnny Pumpkin Head – A grotesque brownie with an abnormally large pumpkin head, slightly tilted, with a comical expression.” Beistle issued the cheerful band of brothers in these formally designated sizes, all non-embossed on flat stock, medium cardboard: five inch, eight inch, eleven inch, sixteen inch and 20 inch, all with easel backs, although there are variations to size with nearly all of them, sometimes as much as one and one-quarter inch. The smallest size was made for several seasons more than all of the others. This smaller size had three iterations and was generally sold in envelopes with quantities ranging from five to ten per envelope. This particular size is the most commonly seen today. The larger sizes are less common and harder to find in today’s market, especially the largest measuring 20 inches high. Beistle didn’t take great pains in differentiating designs within sizes. Sometimes the differences are obvious but sometimes they were subtle variances in the appearance of the neckline, lace or collar. Beistle was seemingly ill prepared for the success of this product line, and mass-producing them with limited quality control relative to exactly how the designs by size were reproduced. This issue becomes even more obvious when comparing the various examples. Pictured are the five and eight inch variety.
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- Boxed set of six dazed and confused black cat cut-outs, USA, Dennison, 1924.
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- Boxed set of six bat and ghosts cut-outs, USA, Dennison, first appeared in their 1924 Bogie Book, 3.25″ h x 4″ w.
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- Boxed set of five dancing cat cut-outs, USA, Dennison, first appeared in their 1926 Price List pamphlet, 5″ h x 4″ w.
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- Broomed witch astride crescent moon triangular hat, USA, Beistle, (printed name), 1918-1920, 15.25” h x 12.75” w. Beistle’s printed name is located inside the hat. Slightly later iterations having alternating orange and black stripes were stamped “Beistle” on the outside of the hat. A visually striking, large and very rare hat. The main fold is unavoidable as these hats were shipped from Shippensburg this way.
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- Black cat on crescent moon triangular hat, USA, Beistle, (printed name), 1918-1920, 15.25” h x 12.75” w. Beistle’s printed name is located inside the hat. Slightly later iterations having alternating orange and black stripes were stamped “Beistle” on the outside of the hat. A visually striking, large and very rare hat. The main fold is unavoidable as these hats were shipped from Shippensburg this way.
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- Dancing Witch, USA, Beistle, (no mark), 1927-1937. This was first issued in 1927 along with the dancing black cat depicted below. The prize here is the original printed glassine envelope detailing its contents. Beistle housed many of its products in printed glassine envelopes, like this one, during the brief span 1927-1929. The company later adapted plain, unprinted, unremarkable glassine envelopes. These brittle glassine envelopes are prone to crumbling which is why they almost always turn up crinkled, torn and having pieces missing. This unused example represents the apex of condition, which in my book makes it sublime. Envelope: 8″ h x 8″ w. Contents: 7″ w with varying lengths.
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- Dancing Cat, USA, Beistle, (diamond mark), 1927-1937. This dancing cat was first issued in 1927. Measures 7″ w with varying lengths.
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- Dancing JOL Man, USA, Beistle, (diamond mark). This rare Beistle dancer was made between 1925 and 1931. The hands and feet have been recycled and slightly modified from the art Beistle used in their 1923 mechanical Halloween Elves. Measures 7″ w with varying lengths.
