Miniature Standees
Seeking new discoveries and/or ways of looking at old data are standard methodologies here at the Halloween Retrospect archive which began studies (for THR, V1 released July 2023) with no more than 480 primary source catalogs which have since increased (as of June 2025) to about 635 . So, as one might imagine, since publishing The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 2 (etc.) some interesting additions have occurred. Two newer catalogs include House of Gellman 1929 and 1930 – both listing available stock of certain small German-made embossed standees. ***
*** By the way, THR often refers to these (as written about in THR, V2 ) as standees to substitute a simple description which avoids the skittle-versus-decor label that others continue argue.
Photo of vintage Halloween collectible standees with black cat candy container from shelves of THR archive collection. Compare to 1936 Halloween birthday photo further down the page!
Anyway, it recently occurs over the last few days that while THR is considering content of the more recently accessed House of Gellman catalogs, the presence of miniature embossed wood-base characters is once again noted. Interestingly both year’s catalogs place them on a Games page (sampled below) and not a Decor page… (though it is fair to remind readers of THR, V2 that numerous placements muddy such definitiveness).
Above is a page excerpt from House of Gellman (1930) offering stock selection of Games.
With this newly discovered excerpt (above), THR remains convinced as with The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 2 that collectors can blamelessly call such items as they themselves prefer despite our modern era’s attempt to narrow down a single original intention. To review, THR’s article with timeline show these miniature standees given multiple titles across appearances 1929-1952. And while here on THR’s blog (above) exists a vintage reference to these as game pieces (aka toy skittles), THR, V2 readers likely remember the 1936 news photo of the items as dessert embellishments (below).
Above is an image from 1936 Omaha Evening Bee News of a Halloween birthday cate decorated in German embossed wood-base characters and a black cat cake-topper candy container.
While THR, V2 actually focuses more of its page space to Dennison’s autumn publications – (see Dennison Halloween or Dennison Publications) other short articles devote research to Rosen /Rosbro, B. Shackman Co., we well as the little wood-based standees in question. For those new to THR research digests and the skittle-versus-decor controversy, following is a synopsis of the article referenced in this vintage collectibles blog from THR, V2 available on etsy:
THR, V2: Skittle or Decor The New Identity Crisis for Vintage Figures (pg. 24) reviews content of 515+ store-vendor catalogs to consider the question: skittle or decor? Also reviews data concerning the customer-facing side of sales and use. Contains 10 illustrations as well as source references. [For related topics read blog entry: Vintage Inspirations].
Above is a page sample and some of additions (postcard and poster) that make up THR, V2.
All of THR’s research examines available data from primary sources, and with an exhaustive list of Sources, Illustration, and Additional Reading that readers may either retrace conclusions or pursue further inquiry without starting from scratch. The resulting digests and surveys are not simply turgid prose (as required to adequately explain many complex market histories) but a visual variety of charts, posters, illustrations, and more!
As of this blog entry, June 2025, there are five books for sale by The Halloween Retrospect offering vintage Halloween collectibles guides as research digests or art-book surveys.
#HalloweenPride
To close this entry yet celebrate the halfway mark to Halloween… together with the beginning of summer as well as recognition of our wonderful diversity – it seems that the complex history (above) of these embossed miniatures is right on time. So many have thrown various labels at them but these cool ghouls are celebrating their best life (or after-life) regardless, and the same is hoped for readers. By way of this tiny Halloween parade, THR wishes everyone a Happy Pride!
Embossed wood-base standees and a cat container from THR celebrate strength in diversity.
PLEASE NOTE: THR does NOT employ AI-generative technology. Content is created by human biological entities to ensure results engage accurate research with mindful artistry.
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