Trick or Treat

 

QUESTION: Ever since I was a kid going trick-or-treating in my neighborhood, I have loved Halloween. A few years ago, I started buying some vintage Halloween items that I found at garage sales and flea markets. These were a mix of masks, candy containers, and noisemakers. I’d like to grow my collection, but don’t know enough about Halloween collectibles and if they’re worth collecting. Can you help me?

ANSWER: Halloween items are definitely worth collecting, especially those from the 1920s to the 1950s. It’s October, Halloween season and the prime time to purchase these collectibles. 

Supposedly, trick or treating began with the poor begging for food or the poor begging for soul cakes in return for their prayers for the dead in Scotland. American Halloween traditions followed many of those practiced in the United Kingdom, such as going from house to house in costume and singing in return for food. Whoever answered the door could prevent a trick from being played on them by giving those in costume some kind of treat.

The Halloween tradition of trick or treating wasn’t widespread in the United States until the 1930s. Because of sugar rationing during World War II, the practice nearly died out, but bounced back in the 1950s focusing on children.

Halloween collectibles hold a special charm. They reflect the historical evolution of Halloween celebrations, as well as showcase unique craftsmanship and design. These items attract collectors for their nostalgic value, rarity, and the stories they tell about past Halloween traditions.

The peak period of Halloween collectibles centering around trick-or-treating extends from the 1920s to the 1950s and 1960s. They can be broken down into several main categories that include costumes and masks, noisemakers, papiér-mache lanterns, and candy containers. But unlike modern mass-produced items, vintage pieces have historical significance, craftsmanship, and most importantly—rarity. Limited production amplified this effect. 

The legend of the most familiar Hallowe'en symbol--a lighted pumpkin--comes from a tale of an old Irish miser named Jack. Jack made several pacts with the devil. He also tricked the devil. When he died, he could not get into Heaven for his sins and because he had tricked the devil, he could not get into Hell. The Devil gave him a coal and Jack placed it in a hollowed out turnip, which lit his way as he wandered the earth until Judgment Day. These lit up turnips of ancient times were also said to help ward off evil. Pumpkins, native to America, were plentiful and took the place of turnips.

 Jack-o-Lanterns are at the top of the Halloween collectibles market. German-made papiér-mache Jack-o-Lanterns, made before World War II, represent the pinnacle of Halloween collecting. These high quality hand-painted masterpieces, primarily from the 1900s to the 1930s, combine artistry with extreme rarity. Selling for : $100 to $1,500, they don’t come cheap.

Next come Beistle Company’s embossed die-cut decorations which represent some of the most recognizable vintage Halloween imagery. These three-dimensional decorations featured classic motifs like black cats, witches, and grinning pumpkins. Though beginning prices for them start at $20, they can reach into the hundreds for rare pieces. 

Vintage tin Halloween noisemakers from the 1920s to the 1950s feature colorful lithographic designs that captured the era’s artistic style. These functional decorations served as both party favors and collectible art pieces. They normally sell for $25 to over $200 for exceptional examples made by T. Cohn, Kirchhof, and various German toy companies.

Noisemakers were fun and inexpensive toys. They came in all varieties and many different styles featuring the usual Halloween themes and symbols—witches, black cats, ghosts, pumpkins, owls, devils, and more. Popular American makers were Kirchhof, T. Cohn, Bugle Toy, U.S. Metal Toy, and J. Chein and Company, as well as various German toy makers. Noisemakers range from paper to metal. Earlier examples of metal ones featured handles which were wooden at first, replaced later by plastic. 

In the Celtic tradition it was believed that souls emerged on Halloween night as they traveled to the afterlife, so revelers donned costumes to avoid recognition by the dead. Most mid-20th-century costumes consist of witches, ghosts, mummies, devils, angels, cowboys, and princesses among other time honored favorites such as cartoon characters and superheroes. Vintage costumes were often handmade out of crepe paper, so many didn’t survive the night. The Dennison Paper Company's Bogie books and other crepe paper books had lots of ideas and illustrations of costumes that could be made with crepe paper. Finding these vintage crepe costumes, which were often discarded after Halloween, can be a challenge.

Popular costume makers included Collegeville and Ben Cooper. Both packaged costumes in a box with an outfit and a mask.

Vintage commercial Halloween costumes, especially those from the 1920s through the 1950s, are especially popular. Manufacturers often used unique fabrics and designs that reflected the era’s fashion trends. Collectors seek original costumes in good condition, particularly those with original tags or packaging.

Next to papiiér-mache Jack-o-Lanterns, Halloween masks are among the most sought-after collectibles. People in the mid-20th century often made masks from papiér-mâché or latex. Collectors look for intricate designs, original paint, and unique features that reflect the era’s style. Collectors particularly value masks from well-known costume  manufacturers like Ben Cooper or Collegeville.

Candy containers from past decades, often designed to look like pumpkins, witches, or ghosts, are items that add a touch of whimsy to Halloween collectibles. People used these containers, typically made from tin or cardboard, to hold candy and often decorated them with brightly colored, distinctive designs.

With Halloween collectibles, condition is everything. A papiér-mache Jack-o-Lantern in mint condition can sell for over $1,000, while the same piece with significant damage might only bring $50. Pieces in good to excellent condition should have no cracks, tears, or missing pieces. Colors should be vibrant. If a piece is still in its original packaging, the value can often triple. 

Collectibles that have historical significance or are associated with notable manufacturers or designers can be particularly valuable.

Ensuring the authenticity of antique Halloween collectibles is essential. Verified provenance, original tags, or packaging can help confirm an item’s authenticity and contribute to its value. Be cautious of reproductions or heavily restored items that might not hold the same value as original pieces.

Vintage Halloween collectibles worth money follow predictable market cycles that smart resellers exploit. Understanding these patterns can significantly impact profitability.

Halloween collectible prices typically increase 30 to 50 percent from August through October, the peak selling time, as collectors prepare for seasonal displays. This “October Effect” creates clear buying and selling opportunities: The months to buy are November to February.

Pre-1960s Halloween items command premium prices because so few have survived. These delicate pieces—crafted from paper, cardboard, and early plastics—were meant for temporary seasonal use, not long-term preservation.

To read more articles on antiques, please visit the Antiques Articles section of my Web site.  And to stay up to the minute on antiques and collectibles, please join the over 30,000 readers by following my free online magazine, #TheAntiquesAlmanac. Learn more about "Halloween Horrors" in the 2025 Fall Edition, online now. And to read daily posts about unique objects from the past and their histories, like the #Antiques and More Collection on Facebook.

Doing the Monster Mash

 

QUESTION: I guess you can say I’m a Halloweenie. I love Halloween. Every year I begin decorating in September. Over the years I’ve amassed a collection of monsters—toys, masks, costumes, etc. Collecting them has been fun, but I really don’t know much about their origins. What can you tell me?

ANSWER:  Along with the usual array of ghosts and witches parading the streets on Halloween, look closely and you're bound to see versions of monsters from yesteryear—Frankenstein, The Wolfman, and Dracula. All are as much a part of Halloween as pumpkins glowing on front porches. Even though these films date from decades ago, the classic Universal Studios monsters are still among the most recognized images to come from the silver screen. While Universal designed those early film monsters to simply scare moviegoers, the creatures moved into the toy and collectibles world during the 1960s. Today, the demand for classic monster collectibles has generated a thriving market with prices that might frighten some beginning collectors as much as the monsters would have scared their grandparents.

It was in 1931 when all horror hell broke loose for Universal. One historic release was James Whale's frightening screen version of "Frankenstein," portrayed by the then struggling actor Boris Karloff, the haunting, supernatural appearance of the Monster terrified unsuspecting audiences. Sewn together from the bodies of harvested corpses with electrodes protruding from his neck, the Monster looked like a hideous creation reanimated from the dead. Released in the same year was Todd Browning's chilling adaptation of Brain Stoker's Dracula. Originally intended for Lon Chaney Sr., the role eventually went to Hungarian-born actor Bela Lugosi after Chaney's death in 1930.

Frankenstein was such a screen success that it spawned a long line of wonderfully frightening sequels, featuring some of his relatives, starting with The Bride of Frankenstein. Others that followed in the 1930s and 1940s included Son of Frankenstein, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, and House of Frankenstein.

“The Creature from the Black Lagoon," Universal’s last monster, came along in 1959. Among collectors, he’s the most popular. But as the 1950s waned, so did interest in the monsters. With increased competition from home and abroad, Universal just couldn’t keep up.

The Beginning of Monster Merchandise
The Aurora Plastic Corp. was one of the first companies to produce a line of classic monster merchandise—a model kit of Frankenstein. The model was so successful that Aurora released 12 more monster kits in the 1960s including all of the Universal mainstays. After Aurora's efforts proved successful, numerous other companies climbed aboard the Monster Express with their own offerings.

Among the most impressive and collectible are their battery-ops. Specifically, the battery-operated Frankenstein, which if in excellent condition, is one of the most sought out of all monster collectibles:

To meet the demand for monster inspired merchandise, a multitude of companies began to produce a variety of products.

Though interest in monster collectibles continued its downward spiral during the 1970s and 1980s, monster collectible sales continued to be brisk. The 1970s gave way to the action figure, which dominated the toy scene and monsters became a big part of that sensation.

Among the most collectible monster figures from that time are the 8-inch AHI figures produced from 1973-1976. Of particular note are those monsters that sport actual cloth clothing: Mego also introduced its own line, Mego Mad Monsters, comprised of 8-inch figures available in individual boxes as well as on cards. In 1974 and 1975, Lincoln International created a line of 8-inch articulated figures, particularly noteworthy for their cartoonish look. In the 1980s Remco manufactured a set of 9-inch figures that have proven very desirable among collectors. Also popular was their release of 3 3/4-inch Mini Monsters on cards that featured pictures of the monster as he appeared in the original film. Remco also offered a Mini Monster carrying case with this line. In 1986 Imperial added its own 7½-inch rubber figures packaged in bubble packs.

Not surprisingly an early 1960s survey of young people by the Aurora Plastics Company showed the interest in monster mania generated by old films, which had begun to be shown on TV. Aurora took a big chance in releasing its monster models. It began by only releasing its Frankenstein kit to test the public’s acceptance.

By late 1961 Aurora's boxed Frankenstein assembly kits were in stores and instantly sold out. A second mold was quickly made to keep up with the demand, according to Breugman, and soon the plant was in production 24 hours a day.

World famous toy maker Marx noticed the excitement and added their own Frankenstein toys in 1963, including a plastic monster figure. Another Marx offering was a large remote control model of the monster, and still another was a wind-up Mechanical Frankstein with plastic head and metal legs.

Other related toys from that era included the Frankenstein wind-up with a plastic monster figure in a four-and-a-half-inch-tall antique car, and a boxed battery operated litho tin Frankenstein Monster. Both came from Japan.

During the 1970s, Aurora continued their early kit success by including Frankenstein in their Monsters of the Movies series. However, there was more interest in already constructed five to eight inch plastic monster figures, and soon other makers flooded the market. Mego sold a Mad Monster series starting in 1974 which included Dreadful Dracula, Human Wolfman, Horrible Mummy, the Mad Monster Castle, and Monster Frankenstein. Others with similar figures on the market included Ace Novelty, Lincoln International, Kenner, Remco Industries and eventually Imperial.

One of the last of the battery-operated Frankenstein figures came in the 1970s from Poynter Products. The 12-inch monster was almost entirely made of plastic.

The latter part of the 1990s witnessed the release of a hord of monster action figures. In 1993 Telco released a set of Universal Monster motionettes that included The Wolf Man, Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein and The Mummy. The Mummy from this set is very collectible . and will most often sell for more than $100 There was somewhat of a lull in new classic monster merchandise until 1997. In that year, the U. S. Post Office released a set of monster stamps as portrayed by the original Universal actors.

Also in that same year, Hasbro manufactured a set of impressive 12-inch figures in individual boxes. The firm based the bodies on earlier G.I. Joe figures. However, it gave more attention to the details with these figures and the faces bore a greater resemblance to the film monster than had been seen in some time. To add to the resurgence in monster popularity was a set of plastic 4-inch toys figures sold only as a promotional item at Burger King. Once again, toy departments displayed monster toys.

Of all the action figures produced, the ones released by Sideshow Toys in the late 1990s were the most realistic. Licensed by Universal and in agreement with the estates of Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney Jr., the 8-inch figures in the first series consisted of Frankenstein; The Mummy, and the Wolf Man. The success of the first series and the demand generated by collectors has spawned new Sideshow offerings. Series 4 figures include Son of Frankenstein The Mole Man and The Werewolf of London. The only figure missing was of Dracula, which Sideshow was finally able to produce after reaching an agreement with the estate of Bela Lugosi.

To read more articles on antiques, please visit the Antiques Articles section of my Web site.  And to stay up to the minute on antiques and collectibles, please join the over 30,000 readers by following my free online magazine, #TheAntiquesAlmanac. Learn more about art glass in the 2022 Summer Edition, with the theme "Splendor in the Glass," online now. And to read daily posts about unique objects from the past and their histories, like the #Antiques and More Collection on Facebook.