Apples and Arsenic

Rare Gibson witch holding pumpkin behind brick wall vintage Halloween postcard

2010-04-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

A rare postcard image of a witch peering over a brick wall, grasping tightly to a jack-o-lantern. Manufactured by Gibson and postmarked 1909. The witch looks kinda like Sarah Palin! Front reads "Halloween Greetings" and is inscribed on the back, "Dear Sue, What has become of you- I send this witch to investigate your last letter is dated June and you know that is a long time ago- with love to all, C.N.K." The address is in Scranton, PA.

Priced at $19.50 at Webb's Antique Mall, showcase #6 (call them to order by phone)

Corn stalks and jack-o-lantern vintage Halloween postcard from 1914

2010-04-25T14:43:00.000-07:00

A serene image of a night time scene with the full moon showing through low clouds, two groups of corn stalks with a jack-o-lantern in front. Front reads "Greetings for Halloween." The back is marked with the senders initials and is addressed to Wollaston, Massachusetts.

Priced at $16.50 at Webb's Antique Mall, showcase #6 (call them to order by phone)

1923 Halloween greetings vintage postcard

2010-04-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

The front of the linen patterned postcard reads "Halloween Greetings. Consult the Oracle to-night, by witching Jack O Lantern light. What eer it prophesies is true, unless it says I don't love you." The pumpkin has two black cats peering out from the eyes and a candle in it's mouth!
Marked on the back, "Hello Ed, how are you?" and addressed to M. Ed Huffman in Moline, Illinois.

Priced at $22.50 at Webb's Antique Mall, showcase #6 (call them to order by phone)

Goblins chasing little boy vintage Halloween postcard

2010-04-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

A very cool image of an illuminated jack-o-lantern being held over a fence on a stick to frighten a young boy! Reads on the front, "Halloween Greeting, The goblins 'll get you if you don't watch out!" Unmarked on the back.

Priced at $28.50 at Webb's Antique Mall, showcase #6 (call them to order by phone)

Jack-O-Lantern and owls vintage Halloween postcard

2010-04-25T14:29:00.000-07:00

"To wish you a Jolly Halloween" postcard with joyful jack-o-lantern and six black owls. Water stain on the lower right side. No writing on the back.

Priced at $26.50 at Webb's Antique Mall, showcase #6 (call them to order by phone)

1914 Pumpkin overlooking town at night vintage Halloween postcard (with gossip!)

2010-04-25T14:27:00.000-07:00

Postcard dated October 28, 1914. A cute little pumpkin in the top corner overlooks a small town below in silhouette, the moon peeking over the top of a church steeple. Text reads, "May all the joys of Hallow e'en be yours."
The back is dated by hand a few days earlier on October 22, 1914. It reads, "Dear Otos, Just had to laugh when I got this card, I mean it surprises me, haha. Did you know that Fred G. was down to see Beulah Murphy Sunday, now what do you think of that? You can't imagine how happy it made me when I read your card, if you had been here when you said that I would of goody-goody. I was at Orange to-day, think I shall go hear Gray speak to-morrow night, so will know how to vote. Don't want you to attend the party, don't think that I really thought you was. Good-bye Leona L."

Priced at $22.50 at Webb's Antique Mall, showcase #6 (call them to order by phone)

Pumpkin in a tuxedo vintage Halloween postcard

2010-04-25T14:16:00.000-07:00

A lively pumpkin man dressed to the nines walking his pet black cat on a leash. His cane is tipped with a carrot and his top hat is cocked to the side. At the top of the text box is a small white owl and what looks like a tomato, a traditionally "evil" fruit because of it's link to the Deadly Nightshade family. Reads, "Hear Ye! Greetings! May you have a happy Halloween." The back has only names but no writing or addresses.

Priced at $26.50 at Webb's Antique Mall, showcase #6 (call them to order by phone)

Pumpkin Couple, vintage Halloween postcard

2010-04-25T14:12:00.000-07:00

A 1912 postcard featuring a cute but strange image of a male pumpkin sticking his tongue out at a female pumpkin, who looks a bit put off by his advances. A black cat peeks over a sign reading "A Happy Halloween be yours". Marked on the back only with names but no addresses.

Priced at $22.50 at Webb's Antique Mall, showcase #6 (call them to order by phone)

Pluto Water postcard, West Baden Springs - French Lick, Indiana

2010-04-25T14:07:00.000-07:00

This is a rare and wonderful postcard promoting Pluto Water, a mineral springs water that was bottled in French Lick/West Baden Springs, Indiana. The West Baden Hotel recently reopened after a vastly extensive (and expensive) renovation. The card reads "When Nature Won't- Pluto Will". It is unused with no writing on the back.

Priced at $15 at Webb's Antique Mall, showcase #6 (call them to order by phone)

Antique Halloween party invitation by Dennison

2010-04-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

A 1926 Halloween party invitation postmarked October 21st, 1926, includes original envelope with 2-cent stamp affixed. The card is heavy stock ivory paper with bright colors, an orange border and features a woman in costume being surprised by the ghoulish sight of a floating pumpkin head in the mirror! A black cat is seated next to her. Inside is shown a witch in silhouette with dancing pumpkin ghouls arriving for the party. The text reads: "Listen, On October 23, 1926 A Halloween party. You are ordered to attend at Miss Smith's House, Time 8:30 pm. What say?" It continues on the back in hand written text, "Meet me at the M.E. Church if you have no way to come. Wear the letter H so that I may know you belong to my crowd. D.B.S. Mask".

Priced at $35 on Etsy

Vintage Halloween Postcard, Witch Surprises Boy!

2010-04-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

This intriguing post card is actually postmarked October 31st, 1917! It has a series of minor bends across the face, as if it was rolled loosely at some point but otherwise very clean and clear, including the writing. The text "Halloween" on the front is in metallic gold print and is not worn or darkened at all. As part of our interest in archiving the messages written on these antique postcards, this one reads: "Don't let the witches ride off with you on their broom stick your first Halloween. Love, Ghost Dottie and Goblin Helen". It is addressed to "Master Willis Arthur Countryman Third, 34 Willard St. Hartford, Conn. c/o A.W. Countryman". Standard postcard size with one cent stamp affixed.

Priced at $22.50 at Webb's Antique Mall, showcase #6 (call them to order by phone)

Vintage ephemera Witch broom label

2010-04-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

We believe this witch themed broom label was made during the 1930's. The label itself is unused and has one small 3/4-inch tear that can be seen in the back photo at the lower right. The colors are crisp and look brand new, apparently never displayed. It reads "The Witch A.F. Weymer Co. Syracuse, NY" on the front. Measures 3x4-inches.

Price is $65 on Etsy

1920's Halloween Hop dance invitation, Black Americana

2010-04-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

This treasure was recently discovered and is in pristine condition aside from a glue spot on the back where it was once placed in an album. It's a Kappa Delta (sorority/fraternity) dance card featuring a colorful design of an African American man running from a jack-o-lantern that seems to have jumped out from behind a post. It's a whimsical image and the artwork is well done. The paper is heavy and textured and the print is fresh and clear. Inside it has spaces for 10 dances, and one "Ella Lee" is named. Printed by "Crafters, Springfield, Ohio" and noted as "Music by Bat Lohman's Orchestra" inside. Measures 3-inches wide by 3-3/4 inches tall.

Private Collection, not for sale

Black cat Lucite costume jewelry pin

2010-04-08T10:18:00.000-07:00

We have never seen anything quite like this before, it's a cool black Lucite lapel pin likely produced in the 1940's. It is in the shape of a black cat's head in silhouette with a little devil's point for the tail, all in the form of a question mark! It is studded with 33 rhinestones and is not missing any. The stick pin is still present on the back and the piece is in excellent condition with no damage. Measures 3-inches tall by 1-1/2 inches wide.

For sale at $85 on Etsy

Vintage figural Halloween Pumpkin light bulb

2010-04-08T10:13:00.000-07:00

This is a very rare milk glass light bulb made in Japan. We have seen many Christmas figural bulbs over the years but these Halloween themed pieces are a rare treat. The first bulbs were clear glass but because the paint would flake off from the heat produced, they were quickly switched to milk glass. Measures 2-inches tall (including metal screw base) and 1-3/4 inches wide. Some paint loss but in typical condition considering the rarity. No damage to the bulb. We don't know if it lights up or not as we do not have the appropriate sized fixture.

For sale at $165 on Etsy

Vintage Halloween E. Rosen Scarecrow

2010-04-08T10:07:00.000-07:00

We would like to introduce you to our little friend made by E. Rosen around 1961. He's a wonderfully sculpted plastic scarecrow with a Jack-O-Lantern head and features an open backpack that was originally filled with candies. He stands 4-3/4 inches tall, cast in orange with black painted details.

This one is for sale at $45 on Etsy

This weekend, most merchandise 25% off!

2010-04-07T07:13:00.000-07:00

This weekend Webb's Antique Mall (see previous posts) in Centerville, Indiana is hosting their anniversary sale. Stop in on April 10 & 11 to find your treasure! We are participating by offering 25% off most of our items in both cases we have there. It's not only our stuff that's on sale, but virtually every vendor is participating at various levels of discounts.

Vintage Halloween at our 2nd Webb's booth!

2010-04-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

The immediate success of our first "brick and mortal" sales portal, our booth space at Webb's Antique Mall, inspired us to open a second booth at the same location. One booth now focuses on vintage Halloween items and ephemera, kitsch, toys and the like, while the second space features more heavily on the higher end items from our collection. Among these items are rare and unique early American art pottery, including two Saturday Evening Girls cup and saucer sets that were made for their benefactor as a gift for her son's 20th birthday. That benefactor was also the founder of the Girl Scouts of America.

We will post details about an upcoming sale at the antique mall over one weekend in mid-April where many of our items will feature a 25% discount!

Booth now open at Webb's Antique Mall

2010-03-05T14:12:00.000-08:00

We now have a well stocked booth at Webb's Antique Mall in Centerville, Indiana for those who prefer to shop in person. We are case #6 in the glass showcase section near the entrance. This booth features many of our most exciting items including antique medical specimens and jars, Victorian funeral photos, vintage jewelry, and even some Eva Braun personally-owned items.

Webb's Antique Mall- info and directions

Welcome to our blog

2010-02-16T15:15:00.001-08:00

We will be listing new finds here first, check back often to see what strange and unique items we come up with.