Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Scariest thing about some vintage Halloween items: The price

If you collect vintage Halloween decorations, there's always a lot to choose from at the Brimfield Antiques Show (where I visited last week for a few days). But, let me tell you, this stuff doesn't come cheap.

I overheard a dealer saying that prices had gone down a bit about six years ago, but now are back as strong as ever. I love looking, but I hardly ever buy. Even the stuff from the '60s and '70s can be expensive. The prices on early decorations can be in the $100s.

Many of the older decorations were made of paper and tons of them got ruined or tossed, leaving fewer behind. So... scoop up whatever you see if you're out at yard sales or estate sales.

Some booths were decked out for autumn. I loved the display by Log Cabin Country Primitives.

They did a great job pairing mums and pumpkins with the items they were selling. See how they used the long box as a table centerpiece? You could do that, maybe with an old toolbox.

Or you could copy this little arrange on the cupboard. Most dealers don't take the time to set up their booths like this, but I find myself drawn to the ones that do. Such a simple thing to do, too.

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7 comments:

Elle Jay Bee said...

I was at a farm stand recently where they displayed everything for fall so beautifully. I also agree with you about the exhorbitant cost of vintage Halloween stuff...crazy!!

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Linda

Moi said...

I love the sharing about this antique show you went to. I am super jealous! I love antiques..now if only i had the money...

great blog!
p.s. I left you an award on my blog.

Nicol said...

Ouch! I would have had no idea that they would go for that much! I guess we all should have held on to the decorations from our childhoods.

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

Did a little Fall decorating yesterday. Starting to get in the mood. Such pretty colors.

CRICKET said...

The other scary thing is lead. I try to avoid all the cheap decorations at the dollar sype stores and hobbie stores. I am finding that real things like pumpkins and mums are perfect and biodegradable.

Barbara Jacksier said...

You are right about THIS being the greatest show on earth. For many years I edited Country Collectibles magazine and I was paid to go to antique fairs all across the country. Brimfield and the Texas shows were my favorites. Can you imagine getting paid to shop? Heaven!

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I love that they "staged" their booth!

As for the price of vintage Halloween decorations...Yowza!! I saw quite a few pieces this weekend that were *way* out of my price range, especially for something I'd put out 2-3 weeks a year. I'll go for repro pieces. Homegoods, here I come...