What could be more fun than a collectible vintage Halloween Jack O'Lantern? It's one of the most distinctive symbols of Halloween and when it comes to the vintage decorations, there are plenty of choices. You can find plastic pumpkins, pumpkin shaped candles, jack-o-lantern die-cuts and postcards festooned with the smiling, smirking laughing pumpkin. Does he look mad to you? He's kinda scarin' me! So if you're looking for a spooky addition to your Halloween collection, check out some of these Vintage Jack O'Lanterns.

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1997 Vintage Plastic Canvas Pattern Book Party Pockets Santa Jack o Lantern BAGS
	$8.99 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 22:16:09 PDT Buy It Now for only: $8.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VintageDie CutPumpkinJack O LanternHalloweenSpooky
	$15.95 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 3:56:54 PDT Buy It Now for only: $15.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

AVON vintage basket+++++++JACK O LANTERN BASKET+++++++
	$9.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 6:35:46 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Paper Mache Halloween Jack O Lantern Candy Bucket 1960s T20
	$30.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 7:17:30 PDT Buy It Now for only: $30.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

3 Vintage 1941 Halloween Napkins with Jack o lanterns Black Cat a Witch
	$2.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday May-18-2012 9:08:28 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Halloween Jack O Lantern Die Cut Large Decoration
	$55.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 9:16:48 PDT Buy It Now for only: $55.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Halloween Jack O Lantern Die Cut Decoration
	$45.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 9:27:41 PDT Buy It Now for only: $45.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vtg 1981 Wilton Halloween Jack O Lantern Pumpkin Cake Pan Mold 502 2928
	$8.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 11:18:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: $8.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Wilton Mini PUMPKIN Jack o lantern Cake Cupcake Brownie Pan 2105 1499 VINTAGE
	$9.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 13:26:15 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

VTG PRIMITIVE HALLOWEEN PUMPKINS JACK O LANTERN DECOR SHELF SITTER EUC
	$15.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 13:46:54 PDT Buy It Now for only: $49.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Pair of Vintage Papier Mache Holloween Jack o Lanterns and a Noise Maker
	$61.00 (17 Bids) End Date: Friday May-18-2012 14:45:09 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Halloween Pumpkin Jack O Lantern Silver Tone Charm
	$9.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 17:09:10 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE Halloween Postcard Boy and Dog Scared by Large Jack O Lantern 12B2P16
	$25.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 17:16:09 PDT Buy It Now for only: $25.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Rare VINTAGE Shiny MRS GROSSMAN Halloween JACK O LANTERN 4 Pumpkin STICKER New
	$2.19 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 17:22:22 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.19 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

5 Vintage Halloween Candles Figural Wax Candle Decorations Ghosts Jack O Lantern
	$29.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 18:03:25 PDT Buy It Now for only: $29.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Halloween jack o Lantern Paper mache Candy Bowl 15 diameterRare
	$19.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 18:28:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: $19.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Halloween Paper Mache Black Cat Pulling Cart W Jack O Lantern Germany
	$197.50 (9 Bids) End Date: Friday May-18-2012 19:00:43 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

vintage orange pottery pumpkin jack o lantern bag shaped tea light holder
	$9.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 20:16:09 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

vintage porcelain Halloween pumpkin jack o lantern coffee tea hot chocolate cup
	$4.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 20:16:10 PDT Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

18 RARE Vintage SANDYLION Halloween JACK O LANTERN Mini STICKERS Lot 2 SQUARES
	$2.49 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 20:36:40 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.49 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

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Vintage Halloween Die-Cuts are one Halloween collectible that can command a bit of a price premium. Since Die-Cuts are made of paper and were often hung on walls or used for other types of decorating year after year, it can sometimes be tough finding Halloween die-cuts that are actually in good condition, especially if you are looking for authentic vintage die-cuts and not just reproductions of the older styles. But if with our help, you can sort through some of the listings here to find the perfect vintage die-cuts for your own Halloween collection.

Some of the most popular of the vintage collectible Halloween die-cuts were made by The Beistle Company or by the Dennison company, but there are lots of smaller manufacturers that were making die-cuts as well and you may even come across some homemade versions too.

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HALLOWEEN TREATS Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage Image Die Cut Outs Stickers
	$2.50 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 0:22:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VintageDie CutPumpkinJack O LanternHalloweenSpooky
	$15.95 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 3:56:54 PDT Buy It Now for only: $15.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VintageDie CutPumpkinJack O LantScarecrowHalloween
	$15.95 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 3:58:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: $15.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Halloween Die Cut Sucker Card With Cat E Rosen Company
	$24.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 6:28:38 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Beistles Halloween Witch Die Cut Decoration
	$55.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 9:10:10 PDT Buy It Now for only: $55.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Halloween Jack O Lantern Die Cut Large Decoration
	$55.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 9:16:48 PDT Buy It Now for only: $55.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Luhrs Halloween Owl Die Cut Decoration
	$45.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 9:20:10 PDT Buy It Now for only: $45.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Halloween Jack O Lantern Die Cut Decoration
	$45.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 9:27:41 PDT Buy It Now for only: $45.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Ziggy Halloween Die Cut Lot Decorations 1983 CUTE
	$19.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 17:17:05 PDT Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

TWO BEISTLE HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS DIE CUT WITCH AND CAT EMBOSSED VINTAGE
	$9.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 18:44:37 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE BEISTLE HALLOWEEN DIE CUT EMBOSSED WINKING OWL FREE SHIPPING
	$29.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 18:44:38 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE BEISTLE HALLOWEEN DIE CUT PIRATE PUSS IN BOOTS EMBOSSED FREE SHIPPING
	$29.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 18:44:38 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

4 VINTAGE BEISTLE HALLOWEEN DIE CUT EMBOSSED WITCH CAT OWL PUMPKIN FREE SHIP
	$9.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 18:44:38 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE BEISTLE HALLOWEEN DIE CUT EMBOSSED FLAMING SKULL FREE SHIPPING
	$12.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 18:44:38 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Die Cut Pumpkin Halloween Box Primitive Decor Jack O Lantern
	$16.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 7:34:09 PDT Buy It Now for only: $16.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Die Cut Halloween Box Primitive Decor Children Reading Ghost Story
	$16.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 7:39:17 PDT Buy It Now for only: $16.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Die Cut Halloween Box Primitive Decor Little Boy Dog Jack O Lantern
	$16.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 7:40:59 PDT Buy It Now for only: $16.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Die Cut Halloween Box Primitive Decor Child Witch Costume Cat Pumpkin
	$22.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 7:44:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: $22.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Die Cut Halloween Box Primitive Decor Little Girls Pumpkin Jack OLantern
	$22.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 7:46:19 PDT Buy It Now for only: $22.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VTG DIE CUT HALLOWEEN CARD TALLY GRT4 CRAFTS
	$5.95 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 8:12:08 PDT Buy It Now for only: $5.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

In addition to The Beistle Company which made lots of die-cuts for Halloween, the other big manufacturer with items you should be on the lookout for was the Dennison company. Nearly as popular as Beistle, you'll find plenty of vintage Dennison die-cuts and other paper goods in the vintage Halloween auctions.

[ad#Google Adsense]Before the 1960s, Halloween was much more of an adult's holiday than it is today. Kids didn't go out trick or treating in the neighborhood. Instead, your parents and grandparents held parties for their friends and neighbors and the kids went to bed! So all the fun was had by grown-ups!

Since Halloween was such a popular party holiday, it's not surprising that lots of decorations were made to celebrate it and many of the most popular collectibles were made during Halloween's heydays in the 20s, 30s and 40s.

So if you find yourself drawn to vintage Halloween items in particular, you’ll have a lot of collecting niches to consider -- including die-cuts, papier-mache, lanterns and vintage candy pails -- the pre-cursor to the “trick or treat“ bag. The most popular Halloween collectibles are American or German made. All of the early German made Halloween items were actually made and exported to the American market during the post-war period after World War I when Halloween was increasing in popularity as a holiday in the US.

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Halloween Vintage Holiday Graphics Icons Steven Heller Good Book
	$4.77 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 21:28:08 PDT Buy It Now for only: $4.77 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Venne Vintage Halloween Witch Black Cat ACEO canvas print miniature art
	$4.99 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 21:47:27 PDT Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

vintage CAT RED HAT candy container GERMAN 1930s halloween
	$68.99 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 21:51:20 PDT Buy It Now for only: $68.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE PHOTO SNAPSHOT NAVY SAILOR MAN IN CORNER PUMPKIN HALLOWEEN OBSCURE ODD
	$17.85 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 21:54:05 PDT Buy It Now for only: $17.85 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Halloween Skeleton Pin Earrings Hallmark
	$12.00 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 22:14:19 PDT Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage TEXAS LONGHORNS Franchise Hat Cap XL Halloween Edition
	$14.95 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 22:25:20 PDT Buy It Now for only: $14.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Brachs candy halloween OWL store display sign1950s vintage monster scary ghost
	$95.00 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 22:38:30 PDT Buy It Now for only: $95.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Lot of 8 VINTAGE HALLOWEEN LARGE TRICK OR TREAT CANDY BAG MADE IN USA NOS
	$60.00 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 22:38:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: $69.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Witch ORANGE necklace Gothic Halloween Goth
	$8.99 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 23:19:22 PDT Buy It Now for only: $8.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

FAKE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE VINTAGE HALLOWEEN TOY SCARE FRIENDS WITH BLOOD SHOTS
	$7.49 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 23:43:51 PDT Buy It Now for only: $7.49 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Halloween 1920s Sexy Witch Vintage T shirt
	$11.99 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 23:52:30 PDT Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Halloween 1925 Vintage Funny Witch T shirt
	$11.99 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 23:54:12 PDT Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Halloween 1940 Retro Vintage Sexy Witch T shirt
	$9.99 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 23:55:43 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

ELLIOTT HALLOWEEN LADY Vintage Image Greeting Card EL001
	$8.95 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 23:58:00 PDT Buy It Now for only: $8.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

HALLOWEEN TREATS Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage Image Die Cut Outs Stickers
	$2.50 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 0:22:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VINTAGERETROBLACK LACE BRALETTE HIGH PANTIESKNICKERSHALLOWEEN
	$24.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 2:43:51 PDT Buy It Now for only: $29.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Halloween Vintage Gregg Blow Mold Mr Pumpkin Light LK
	$17.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 3:16:03 PDT Buy It Now for only: $17.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VintageDie CutPumpkinJack O LanternHalloweenSpooky
	$15.95 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 3:56:54 PDT Buy It Now for only: $15.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VintageDie CutPumpkinJack O LantScarecrowHalloween
	$15.95 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 3:58:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: $15.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Halloween Candle Orange with Black Design of Ghosts and Haunted Houses
	$8.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 4:24:51 PDT Buy It Now for only: $10.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

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Other Halloween collectibles that are highly sought after currently are hard plastic items, mostly toys, but also cake picks, candy holders, plastic pumpkins and Jack O’Lanterns. For years, most of the plastic collectibles were easy and cheap to purchase, but now they are so hugely popular that you’ll see these plastic Vintage Halloween collectibles go for big prices in Ebay auctions. But you may just find a bargain if you sift through the listings we have posted here at Retroholiday.com

Happy Halloween!

Did you know that Halloween was brought to the US by Irish and Scottish immigrants in the mid 19th century? Prior to the Irish Potatoe Famine, Halloween wasn't celebrated in the United States, but it was a very popular holiday in both Ireland and Scotland and settlers from those countries brought their own version of festivities to American shores.

It was towards the close of the century though before Halloween became really popular and manufacturers started making decorations for the holiday. So if you're looking for antique Halloween decorations to fill your home with, then you'll probably be looking for goods made from about 1890 up until the start of World War I to find the most unique examples.

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Bat Halloween Steampunk Necklace Antique Gothic
	$22.99 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 23:51:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: $22.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

A 1926 FLAPPER FACE HOLIDAY HALLOWEEN LOVE SEXY CALICO CAT WITCH JAZZ ERA POSTER
	$18.95 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 8:17:28 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

A 1928 HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN PARTY HOLIDAY WITCH CAT BROOM ART DECO POSTERRESTAURANT
	$18.95 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 8:18:18 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

LARGE VINTAGE 50S BONE DAY OF THE DEAD SKELETON WEIRD ANTIQUE HALLOWEEN SKULL
	$85.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 10:19:26 PDT Buy It Now for only: $125.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

OCT OCTOBER 31st HALLOWEEN VINTAGE ANTIQUE WOMAN POEM ARCADIA OHIO POSTCARD
	$34.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday May-18-2012 13:00:50 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

HALLOWEEN ANTIQUE HOLIDAY IMAGERY POSTCARDS SCRAPBOOKING CRAFT CD
	$6.25 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 13:38:27 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

ANTIQUE HALLOWEEN POSTCARD PUMPKIN HEADED GHOST WITCH ON BROOM Glitter Embossed
	$27.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 14:01:40 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Halloween 3 punched paper motto sampler embroidery kit
	$39.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 15:08:17 PDT Buy It Now for only: $39.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Antique Scary Skull Snakes Stickpin Rhinestone Eyes Halloween Pin No Reserve
	$9.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 15:57:07 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Traditional Ouija Board Horror Halloween Occult Antique Bronze Ring 415 AR
	$15.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 16:33:14 PDT Buy It Now for only: $15.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage TIP TOP Bread Advertising Sign 1948 Halloween Black Cat Mask Antique
	$24.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 18:17:24 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

PRIMITIVE ANTIQUE FARM HOUSE LG CAST IRON CAULDRON KETTLE POT HALLOWEEN WITCH
	$495.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 19:26:46 PDT Buy It Now for only: $495.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Exceptional Lot of 15 Antique Halloween Postcards
	$849.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 5:12:03 PDT Buy It Now for only: $849.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

ANTIQUE HALLOWEEN GAME FORTUNE TELLING CARDS MILTON BRADLEY ANTIQUE BOXED
	$266.66 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 6:29:19 PDT Buy It Now for only: $266.66 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

REALLY NEAT ANTIQUE VINTAGE DISNEYS HAPPY DWARF HOMEMADE HALLOWEEN COSTUME LOOK
	$18.95 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 8:29:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: $18.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

HALLOWEEN ANTIQUE IMAGES POSTCARDS GREETING CRAFT CD
	$4.79 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 9:12:49 PDT Buy It Now for only: $4.79 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Halloween Prop Witch Hat Metal Candle Holder Antique
	$9.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 11:23:24 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE ANTIQUE 1910S WOLF CLAPSADDLE SIGNED CHRISTMAS POSTCARD
	$16.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 11:58:22 PDT Buy It Now for only: $16.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE ANTIQUE 1910S CLAPSADDLE SIGNED CHRISTMAS POSTCARD WOLF PUBLISHING
	$16.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 11:59:27 PDT Buy It Now for only: $16.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

STEAMPUNK CUFF antique copper costume halloween industrial futuristic victorian
	$19.95 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 12:10:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: $19.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

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[ad#Google Adsense]Between the end of World War I and the beginning of World War II, many of American's favorite decorations for Halloween were actually made in Germany. Funnily enough, Germans didn't really celebrate Halloween, but they were happy to produce all kinds of decorations for the US market. As production at the time was still mainly a small cottage industry, many of the vintage German Halloween decorations you'll come across were handmade individually -- so they are a lot different from the commercially manufactured material you'll see today.

Look especially for the cute Vegetable People that were popular for the Halloween theme. Have fun browsing!

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Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

vintage CAT RED HAT candy container GERMAN 1930s halloween
	$68.99 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 21:51:20 PDT Buy It Now for only: $68.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Halloween party favors wall hangings German noise maker horn
	$29.95 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday May-18-2012 22:06:06 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

vintage Halloween WITCH OLD LADY 9 candy container 1930s german
	$195.49 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 20:27:04 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

RARE VINTAGE GERMAN HALLOWEEN PAPER MACHE JACK O LANTERN
	$27.99 (2 Bids) End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 17:17:12 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

RARE German VINTAGE HALLOWEEN Black Cat JACK O LANTERN RARE
	$10.50 (2 Bids) End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 17:25:20 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage German Pressed Die Cut Halloween Witches c1920
	$150.00 End Date: Tuesday May-22-2012 11:09:11 PDT Buy It Now for only: $150.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Handmade Halloween Small Candy Dish Made to look vintage German very neat piece
	$6.99 End Date: Tuesday May-22-2012 18:52:27 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Halloween Cat Candle Dept 56 Vintage German Look Department
	$6.99 End Date: Wednesday May-23-2012 10:36:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Embossed Diecut German Halloween Lantern Witch Cat Owl JOL Reproduction
	$60.00 End Date: Wednesday May-23-2012 16:48:10 PDT Buy It Now for only: $125.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Halloween Postcard Woman Carrying Pumpkin with Candle Oct 31st German
	$12.99 End Date: Wednesday May-23-2012 19:04:34 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Halloween Postcard Pixies Holding Knife and Fork Cutting Pumpkin German
	$12.99 End Date: Wednesday May-23-2012 19:04:35 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

HALLOWEEN Signed BANKS Authentic GERMAN MADE Vintage 1908 Postcard LADY JOLs
	$22.99 End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 18:18:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: $22.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Paper Blowout Halloween German Party Noisemaker
	$26.24 End Date: Monday May-28-2012 4:24:10 PDT Buy It Now for only: $26.24 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage 1920s German Halloween Composition Veggie Creature Nodder Ghoul
	$125.00 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 19:14:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: $125.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage German Style Halloween Skeleton 1920s REPRO TIN
	$35.50 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 16:42:32 PDT Buy It Now for only: $35.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

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Collecting Vintage German Halloween Decorations

For Halloween memorabilia collectors, German vintage Halloween items dating from the period between the two World Wars are the most highly sought after. According to Mark Ledenbach, the author of Vintage Halloween Collectibles, the prime years were 1919 to 1935.

Halloween isn’t traditionally celebrated in Germany. The German holiday, Walpurgis, which takes place May 1st is probably the holiday that most closely resembles our Halloween and on the eve of the holiday, Walpurgisnacht, German kids may head out to do some mischief and dress-up in costumes, but with the exception of homes near American military bases, there is no trick-or-treating from house to house.

So all of the paper products and other decorative Halloween items made in Germany were actually manufactured solely for export to the American market, ending up on sale at the discount department stores, Woolworth’s and K-Mart. And this wasn’t a big assembly line production effort either. Halloween manufacturing was a small cottage industry and the majority of German Halloween memorabilia were made by home craft workers or by small craft companies. Virtually all of the items were hand decorated as well and have a clearly homemade look to them.

Some of the highly desirable German vintage Halloween items include German die-cuts, composition candy containers, lanterns and German toys or figures. Many of the German Halloween toys featured brightly painted pumpkins or vegetable people with grimacing features. In addition to the standard pumpkins, witches and black cats, vegetable people were very popular in early Halloween imagery and feature in all kinds of products -- from postcards to candles.

If you decide to start collecting German Halloween collectibles, it’s important to keep a few warnings from Mark Ledenbach in mind. He has indicated on his website, HalloweenCollector.com, that items advertised as being “vintage”, but recently brought back on trips from Germany by other collectors, are not likely to be vintage at all. Remember that all of these items were manufactured for export. Since Germany didn’t celebrate Halloween (and still really doesn’t, at least not in the manner in which Americans celebrate it), there was no reason for any of these products to stay in Germany.

Also be wary of any claims about vintage Halloween collectibles “found” in the former East Germany, for the same reason. There’s plenty of new Halloween decorations coming out of Germany today, but from a collector’s point of view, they certainly aren’t going to add anything to your vintage collection.