SCARCE Vintage 1930s Halloween Diecut Beistle Walking Witch Crepe Paper Antique

SCARCE Vintage 1930s Halloween Diecut Beistle Walking Witch Crepe Paper Antique

This diecut walking witch first appears in the Beistle catalog in 1934 and was removed sometime between 1947-49. Not a single catalog mentions crepe paper dress and cape (at least that I could find). The crepe paper dress and cape are done in the same exact fashion as the more commonly diecut cardboard one, as found in all the catalogs.

Talking with a few fellow Halloween collectors, including one whom has had access to documents from the Beistle Company of Pennsylvania, this exact variation is documented by Beistle themselves as a sample, never released to the public. Claire M. Lavin's "Timeless Halloween" collector's price guide also identifies this as a piece never released to the public.

It is a true survivor, found in an attic here in Central Wisconsin. The witch is missing both her feet, her pointing hand, and about a quarter of the top of her hat. The neck is creased but still attached.

The crepe paper is marked "Made in U.S.A." (a hallmark of early Beistle diecuts). The cardboard behind the crepe paper is blank and bears no printing / color.

Measures approx. 20" x 14"

You may likely never see another example available for sale...a few might have gone home with employees, but there are likely very few survivors!

I'd argue the rarity trumps the condition in this case....one could always purchase a lesser condition diecut witch to salvage the feet and hands from!