Volume 4 Vintage collectibles Guide
The archive librarian returns in a big way to its digest series of vintage Halloween collectible guides with The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 4. This new release book not only continues solving mysteries of old holiday products (via research of 625+ catalogs 1900 to 1979) but this time includes a one-of-a-kind not-for-sale freebie decoration by Bindlegrim as a homage to pieces from the 1940’s, as well as THR’s inclusion of another new challenging crossword in the Frolic Flier series for an audience that loves a good puzzle to solve (past or present).
The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 4 continues modus operandi (see also digests V2 and V3) of utilizing the knowledgable assistance of other U.S. archivists and librarians – for an ability to examine additional primary data. In its fourth installment, THR is proud to discover relevant archive data from Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History – hometown of famous creator Milton Bradley who loved both entertainment and education-minded pursuits! The resulting feature article delves once again into misunderstood early-century educational products for Halloween! The first-part examines the career of well-known art educator Louise D. Tessin, while the second-part uses that review as a jumping off point to examine the back-story behind peculiar stained glass paper decorations – advertised in the art educator magazines that highlighted contributors such as Tessin. But what some may love most, is that these vintage decor items of the 1940’s are celebrated in a new homage decoration by Bindlegrim.
Honestly The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 4 got a bit wordy about the exciting double-feature article, and so (also making the digest’s intro short) closes with some very short but still interesting items. The first is semi-related to the main topic (of stained glass windows) with a quick review of Sunday school supplies from the 1930’s via David C. Cook. The next article continues with revelations of educational Halloween products with a peek at John Wilcox. And finally, the book closes with a visual glance at an illustrator seen earlier in Volume 3, Mabel Betsy Hill.
When available The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 4 reference book will appear in publications along with with more imagery, and an etsy checkout link. (Author sells via THR Etsy Bookstore to control stock quality, manage applicable taxes as required, and ship in a sturdy box).
Expected release: March 2025 – see publications.
The cover of The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 4 features a stained glass paper decoration circa the early 1940’s (Photograph by Wiley for THR).
Volume Four: Contents
The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 4
Softcover 6″×9” reference book, 34-pages with color and black & white illustrations. Official copies also contain one free “stained glass” decoration and a crossword challenge.
Inserts:
A: Transparency (new from Bindlegrim) homage to Milton Bradley’s stained glass paper decorations from 1940’s. [For related topics read blog entry To: Halloween, From: Xmas].
B: Puzzle Bulletin II featuring 18×18 Halloween-themed crossword “Sight Seer Roundup” by Robert Aaron Wiley.
Articles:
Introduction (pg. 4) is a shortened introduction to the archive library with important information about its research mission.
Bradley’s Creatives – Part 1 A Short History of Holiday Visionary Louise D. Tessin (pg. 6) studies the history of an early art educator professionally hired for Milton Bradley offering a unique holiday vision in various roles from the 1920’s to the 1950’s. Includes some data concerning the artist’s personal art projects.
Contains 10 illustrations as well as source references.
Bradley’s Creatives – Part 2 Tessin, Her Contemporaries, and a Colorful Invention (pg. 14) examines the professional work of Tessin with a limited comparison to other Milto Bradley contributors (Payberg, Gode, Rehtus, Kilborn, etc.) of the time period. Combines this study with a query of possible artistic vision behind Milton Bradley’s set of stained glass window transparency decor from the 1940’s.
Contains 22 illustrations, 2 timeline tables, as well as source references.
[For related topics read blog entry To: Halloween, From: Xmas].
October’s Cathedral A Secret Cache Of Hallowe’en For Sunday School (pg. 25) reviews the surprising reference of Sunday school catalogs (particularly David C. Cook) as a modern resource for studying early century Halloween novelties on the vintage market.
Contains 4 illustrations as well as source references.
John Wilcox & Hallowe’en Up-to-date, Unique, & Splendid Portrayals of Spirit (pg. 28) identifies certain obscure decorations as supplied through educator-focused catalog advertisements for the company.
Contains 4 illustrations as well as source references.
The Witches’ DanceMore Hallowe’en Chaos by Artist Mabel Betsy Hill (pg. 31) revisits the amazing vision of one illuminator seen earlier in THR publications (such as Volume 3) when reviewing early haunted house imagery in Better Homes & Gardens.
Contains 7 illustrations as well as source references.
Index The Halloween Retrospect, Vol. 1 – Vol. 4 (pg. 33) from first to fourth digests.
Once available The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 4 will appear in the publications portion of the website with an etsy checkout link.
Expected release: March 2025 – see publications.
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