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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

TREASURE HUNT


Vintage Halloween items, like this costume from the early 1960s, are a treat for collectors. 
 (Cheryl-Anne Millsap / The Spokesman-Review)
Cheryl-anne Millsap By Cheryl-Anne Millsap cam@spokesman.com

Things have certainly changed. Not too many years ago, Halloween was little more than an evening’s activity for children that ended with a bag or pillowcase full of candy to be hoarded and rationed for a week or two. Now, stores break out the ghost-and-goblin themed decorations right after the back-to-school shelves are emptied. (That is only a few days before they bring out the Christmas goodies.) And the holiday isn’t just for kids anymore. It’s common for adults to wear expensive and elaborate costumes to work, and outdoor decorating is done on a grand scale.

Well, at least there’s still candy to hoard.

For many of us, while the things on display at the mall and in the discount stores are cute, it’s the vintage Halloween decorations that conjure memories of cool autumn nights, the rustle of the paper-and-plastic costume purchased at the variety store just a few days before the big night, and the melt-in-your-mouth taste of caramel apples.

Most of today’s vintage Halloween items weren’t expensive or hard to find back when they were made. Most were mass produced, disposable and dime-store cheap.

That isn’t always the case, these days. Halloween items from the 1920s through the ‘50s have become hot collectibles. Many are even cross-collectible. For instance, someone who collects cats may like the black cat items that are appear at Halloween. A papier-mâché collector might like the fragile papier-mâché candy-holders, masks, lanterns and other Halloween decorations from the 1930s and ‘40s. A collector who loves vintage toys might look for the little tin noise-makers that were twirled and shaken by children to bring out the candy. Vintage costumes might appeal to a vintage clothing collector. Halloween postcards could round out a post card collection.

The rarer items, like early German die-cuts are expensive and hard to find, but the good news is that most mid-century vintage Halloween favors, costumes and decorative items are plentiful.

The market for things from the late 1960s and the 1970s is gaining, but it’s still easy to pick up great finds at garage sales and thrift stores.

It’s important to remember that there are reproductions out there. If it looks too good to be true, it might very well be.

You don’t want to get tricked, but if you’re a careful shopper, and use price guides and resources wisely, you might pick up a real treat.