Halloween Artifacts, Volume 2: Festoons (a timeline series)
Contents:
Available as an 8-1/2″×11″ full-color 114-page book of big images together with synchronous data from novelty merchandise catalogs held in The Halloween Retrospect archive library.
Foreword by Chris Conte (pg. 4) shares memories of holiday decorating traditions and the significance of tissue-paper honeycomb to create magic. Includes tips for modern collectors. Contains collage of vintage Hallmark Halloween products packaging.
Contours, Crowns, & Flourishes: The Magic Mutability of Holiday Tissue Paper Designs (pg. 5) is the author’s introduction that builds for readers a sense of an important material that lends both structural and decorative elements to Halloween objects. Contains three photos to illustrate concepts.
Introduction Revisiting a Foreword from Research Series THR, Vol. 1 (pg. 6) returns to the first publication of 2023 (from THR) as background of author’s research. Includes: “Positions for Context”, “Statement of Intent”, “Regarding Source”, “THR’s Archive Library”. Contains 4 photographs from the THR archive library.
Halloween Artifacts- Festoons: THR’s Archive Collection Synchronized with Library Data (pg. 10) is the heart of this 100-page survey of tissue-paper formed as honeycomb centerpieces, patterned garlands, or wearable finery. Each item features a large photo, a sample from vintage sources, and a timeline of vendors (where available) for the collection of objects. 100 pages with photographs of vintage Halloween collectibles.
Sources & Additional Reading: A Quick List of Additional References (pg. 113) reviews a small list of sources used throughout the book, and includes a list of additional research from THR.
October 27, 2025: Content Updates
Halloween Artifacts, V2: Festoon first printing.
- Page 94 (code error?) – the Hallmark place cards page 95 are indeed 100H21-4P per photo data; however, THR is having trouble retracing steps for an intact image of the cat centerpiece page 94. Serial number 100HCP21-4 is expected but is it correct? Also, the price per photos is obviously $1.00 not $1.25 as stated in text.
- Moratorium (use of term) – as with HA:V1, note author selected this term to indicate original producer ceased availability and/or production of an item. Often this appears with a question mark indicating data is unavailable or not clear, and is separate from noted appearance of marketplace stock.
Thank you for buying The Halloween Retrospect on Etsy so each book gets a quality check, and THR can include inserts (when applicable) like posters, puzzle, etc., as well as ship in a sturdy box.
