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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- Table decoration (right), USA, Dennison, first appeared in their 1927 Party Magazine, 6.25” h x 5.5” w. Notice the cat’s face in the flame, the candles expression and how the cats along the bottom skew to give the effect of a rounded base. Place card, USA, Denison, first appeared in their 1928 price list pamphlet, 4” h x 3.25” w. Notice the cat’s face in the flame and the candles expression. Although not particularly scarce this iconic, diminutive Dennison masterpiece consistently astonishes.
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- JOL table decoration with flip-out base, USA, Beistle, (no mark), 1930-1931, 9.75” h x 3.75” w x 7.5” l and 9.25” h x 3.75” w x 6.75” l, respectively.
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- Enveloped set of Six Hallowe’en Decorations, USA, Beistle, 1920s, 11.25” h x 6.5” w. This has a stock number of 624 on the envelope.
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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. Beistle inadvertently misprinted this envelope stamping their hoot owl silhouette imagery over the now faintly detectable ‘Eight Assorted’. This hoot owl graphic overprint 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 appears on the the 1933 cat rattle box shown 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), 1955, 9” h x 12.5” w. This non-embossed hexagon-shaped centerpiece, having six panels with differing imagery, was made for a single season with limited distribution. Although produced in 1955 the graphics are reminiscent of the 1930s. Shown resting horizontally on a supporting surface.
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- Shown vertically upward in an upright position.
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- Verso shown resting horizontally on a supporting surface.
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- 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 contained twelve flaming fortunes packaged in a printed glassine envelope measuring 9.25″ h x 8.75″ w.
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- Complete Party Outfit boxed set, USA, Beistle, (printed name), 1918, 9.25″ x 10. 25″ w. This inaugural party outfit consists of seventy-four pieces for a party of eight, plus directions. Everything is made from non-embossed, flat stock paper. There are eight each of invitations, saucers, place cards, Me-N-You cards, bonbon holders, and game cards. There are four each of JOL head decorations and lamp shades, plus eighteen Fortune Game indicators. The JOL head decorations measure 8.5-7″ h x 8.25-6.75″ w, each representative of Beistle’s attention to detail. This achievement of thoroughness carries over to the box’s intricate graphics depicting a party scene with eight place settings for eight guests. The cover art illustrated on this early party set renders eight party revelers impeccably coiffed and costumed in period attire partaking in holiday festivities while enjoying the JOL head decorations and accompaniments included in this party outfit. The JOL head decorations are notably the only ready to hang adornments to be included in a Beistle Halloween party set. This complete, unused, unassembled example is in remarkable condition. The contents were placed in protective sleeves prior to photographing. Contents photographed solely for identification.
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- Complete set of 5 Pumpkin Head Cut-Outs, 5 Assorted Designs and Sizes, USA, Beistle, (no mark), early 1920s, 5″-8″ diameter. Contents housed in trademark ‘B Co’ envelope. This set was sold with stock number 592.
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- 1 Hallowe’en Novelty, USA, Whitney Company of Worcester, MA, 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 10 Hallowe’en Tally Cards, USA, Beistle, (no mark), early 1920s, light gloss flat paper stock.
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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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- 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 integrated on punch-out sheets and instructional decorating suggestions.
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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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- Enveloped set of Ten Assorted Hallowe’en Silhouettes, USA, Beistle, (no mark), late 1920s, 11.5″ h x 6.5″ w. Contents: unused, unpunched silhouettes integrated on four attached punch-out sheets.
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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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- Large jack-o’-lantern gummed seal, USA, Beistle, (no mark), mid-1920s, 3″ h x 3″ w.
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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. Eight inch variety pictured.
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- Boxed set of 6 dazed and confused black cat cut-outs, USA, Dennison, 1920s. Price: $250
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- Boxed set of 6 bat and ghosts cut-outs, USA, Dennison, 1924. Price: $ 300
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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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- 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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- 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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- 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.
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- Composition JOL stick pin with original paper pumpkin leaf appliqué, Germany, early 1920s, 2.75″ h x 1.5″ w.
