This seller references that some collectors feel this type of item was a treat satchel while others feel they were meant to be worn as hats. I’ve seen quite a few of these over the last five years and have developed a theory based on this exposure. I feel both views are true. I’ve found that about half the time the decorative arch on either side of the item is glued to the crepe. In those cases they were meant to be worn as hats. When the arch isn’t glued to the crepe they were meant to be used as treat satchels. I strongly prefer when they can be used as treat satchels. The display “oomph” is ..read more

Bugle Toy of Providence, RI produced some of the best tin litho designs out there. They generally ran circles around the all-too-staid Kirchhof, and were given an occasional run for the top prize by T. Cohn’s earliest designs. This shaker exemplifies my remarks. Every side shows something different with the litho being simple yet very effective at conveying the spirit of the holiday. I hope this brings strong dollars ..read more

I have only seen this item once before. I bought one at the All American collectors’ show held twice annually in Glendale, CA several years back. (The show is nicely curated with items that would appeal to collectors of toys, advertising and holiday at all levels. It is a show I try not to miss. The show’s owner, Jim Maley, is a great guy with deep connections into the comic book and figural advertising markets.) Thankfully, the box at the show was near-mint. I feel this pair would have brought much stronger dollars if not for their condition. The same seller has another one up right now. Its ..read more

Hi Readers, I’ve had many inquiries as to when I’ll be posting fresh items to be sold on my For Sale page. The wait is nearly over! Check back on Sunday, July 7th, at 1:30 PM, Pacific Daylight Time. I’ll have ~30 new listings eager to be gobbled up! :) Best, MBL ..read more

This heavily damaged item actually sold for $285, not the $375 that eBay shows. (I wish that eBay would be more transparent on what the actual final prices for fixed price listings and the like are. There are work-arounds involving other sites to sniff out actual final prices but why should collectors wanting to be educated on current prices have to do this?) As to the pulp man, I’m amazed that it sold for as much as it did given its condition ..read more

Hello Readers, Summer, with all its wonders and all its time-consuming yard-related chores, beckons. I like to take a break from Halloween at least twice annually - right around now and during December. So, I am going to mosey about the property tending to things while wishing I was actually handy! Enjoy the month. I’ll check back sometime in July. MBL ..read more

Although this game is well-designed and this listing has everything a potential buyer wants to see - clear photos and a straight-forward description uncluttered with a lot of nonsense - I have never classified this fortune game as one made specifically for Halloween. There is no Halloween iconography, no Halloween colors and no mention of Halloween anywhere on the game. It is simply a fortune telling game ..read more

I’m sure the seller was simply careless in calling this a nose maker in the description. No matter how great this putty knife noisemaker is, it isn’t an extra from the long-ago show, Nip and Tuck ..read more

Hi Collectors, My site’s For Sale page will return freshly stocked with great items on Tuesday, June 4th at 3:00 PM, Pacific Daylight Time ..read more

I was initially surprised at the high price this German windowpane diecut fetched but then I looked at its condition. The size of the four designs lends itself to bent corners, lots of missing surface paper and lots of crackling, but they are largely missing in this fine example. The diecuts were made in the 1930s. I am very happy the seller, a true collecting ace, received such a strong price. Prices for vintage Halloween on eBay have been on the soft side for a while now, making this result even more satisfying ..read more