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.
