Ellen Clapsaddle Halloween Postcards, 1909

These are two antique Halloween postcards by iconic illustrator Ellen Clapsaddle. They were copyrighted and mailed in 1909, and have a delightful, whimsical charm.

Antique Halloween Postcards Coming

This October I'll highlight some favorites from my antique Halloween postcard collection.

Not too long ago, Halloween postcards commanded high prices that were truly scary (heh!) But their prices, like those of many other collectibles, have fallen considerably in recent years, particularly for less than mint examples. If you thought antique Halloween postcards were beyond your reach, you might be pleasantly surprised if you browse again. Happy hunting (and haunting!)

Circa 1908

Chiquita Banana Ride-On Toy

It's been a busy summer here, with not much time left for posting my latest finds. In fact, today is really the last day of summer for most people, as schools reopen tomorrow. But today is all about lounging outside and enjoying the sunshine, as Americans flock to beaches and parks for the Labor Day holiday.

And what better way to do that than by banana car? This fabulous 2 foot long ride-on banana was made in the late 1960s - early 70s and sold in grocery stores as a promotional item, along with its partner, the Heinz Pickle car, featured in the previous post.

For another unusual vintage ride-on toy, check out the Mr. Potato Head car.

Heinz Pickle Ride-On Toy

The winter weather has finally begun to lift here in the north, and that means it's time to get back outside. Let's head out with one of my favorite vintage ride-on toys: the Heinz pickle car. 

Made in the late 1960s-early 1970s, the pickle ride-on was apparently a promotional item featured in grocery store displays. Measuring 2 feet long, the sturdy plastic pickle had a companion piece, a ride-on Heinz ketchup bottle, which is even more elusive than this scarcely seen toy.

For another odd vintage toy vehicle, take a look at my Mr. Potato Head ride-on.

Antique Tin Toy Kitchens

Tin toy kitchens, also known as doll kitchens, were made in Germany and America through the 1800s in a wide range of styles and price points. All were based on an open, three sided room box model. Large deluxe versions often featured working water tanks, functional sink taps, and a vast array of accessories, while tiny, simply made varieties offered only the merest suggestion of an oven, and relied heavily on children's imagination to make up for their lack of amenities.

I received these two tin kitchens for Christmas this past year. The first was made in Germany in the 1870s, and although small, measuring a mere 6 inches wide by 4 inches tall, features some fine details. There is a functioning tank on the right side which delivers water through a spout on the inner wall. The stove has a hood, a door that opens, and a rarely seen heat regulator (the tiny tab above the door: it slides to reveal an opening which would allow heat to escape from the oven.)

The kitchen still retains its unusually bright color scheme of yellow walls, salmon floor, and turquoise shelves.

This second kitchen is the tiniest and crudest I've ever seen, and yet it has a primitive charm. Measuring just 4 inches wide, it's almost pocket sized, and its stove is just a piece of folded tin, creating the merest suggestion of an oven. It retains traces of its original green paint on the side walls, and was clearly much loved and played with by its original owner. It dates from the late 1800s.

To learn more about the history of these playsets and to see a larger, more deluxe model, click here.