Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Collections ~ La Tercera Parte

Spooking season is nigh....

 (This was the bewitching view out my front door today just beckoning me to take a mid-afternoon flight....)
 
...But, I was reminded that I have been neglectful of my monthly "collections" posts.
So, in honor of the season, here we go:

Vintage papier mache jack-o-lanterns....Most of you are familiar with them, and they certainly don't count among the oldest, largest, nor the "oddest" of my collections. But warm my heart and make me smile, they do.

The earliest lanterns (1920 - 1935'ish) were German made - formed from smooth cardboard pressed into a mold.  The two halves were then sewn or stapled together to form the complete lantern.
The lantern was then painted (by hand) and a tissue paper face insert was glued to the inside.  Although made of paper materials, they were originally intended to be lit with real candles ~ and some of mine have the wax inside to prove it.
 The American versions appeared in the mid to late 1930's, through the 1950's.  Unlike the German ones which were formed from cardboard, the American ones were formed from a clay-like paper pulp that was pressed into a mold and then allowed to dry....Kind of like a really thick egg carton.  They were also painted and fitted with tissue paper face inserts.


Oh how I love these guys!


You see, to some (errr....my husband, for one), they may "all look the same...." But to me, each and every one has a personality all its own....even the "twins:"

(Twin 1)
 
(Twin 2)


 


There are many repro's out today, but I love the charm of the old ones.  Even the ones that have lost their innards inserts:

(The above lantern is a later (late '40's to '50's), American, one, known as a "choir boy" style as he appears to be singing. Very distinctly different than the older and "scarier" German versions.)

If you are interested in starting your own collection of old ones, you can distinguish the orignal pieces from the reproductions by checking the bottom:  original lanterns usually have one or more indented rings, while the repros have flat bottoms.  (Also, the colors on the repros are usually duller than the originals.)


Happy Spooking!

27 comments:

Primitive Stars said...

Good Evening.....Boo!!!!!! What a wonderful collection you have.....love them so.....I do not own any....far to expensive here for me.....but maybe one day, Have a bewitching evening....Hugs Francine.

outjunking said...

Thank you for the information. I have never been sure about the difference between reproduction and old. You would think someone like me who works in antique mall would know that. Thanks again!

The Moonlit Stitch said...

Just want to jump into that picture Robin! Beautiful! So glad your wonderful collection sparks joy in your heart. Hope all is well ~*~Lisa

Michelle said...

What a view you have! I do like your collection. I like the "spookier" faces.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Robyn ~
Thanks for the information. Even though I've owned some for years, I did not know that much about them. I am jealous :) Your collection is so much better than mine.
Hugs :)
Lauren

Linda said...

What a great collection! We are in South Dakota now...and its been snowing all day!! We are going to a spooktacular diner in a bit!! Have a great evening!!

Unknown said...

What an awesome collection.
Thanks on the tip on how to tell a true antique from a reproduction.
I did not know that.
Hugs
Tam

Anonymous said...

you have the most interesting collections, really impressive and what a great decoration for the season

prims by olde lady morgan said...

SKIP GOES MY HEART!!! I so love the pulp boys!! have a few in my collections too... but not as many wonderful ones as you my friend, so love them all! OLM

marly said...

You have a lot of nice collections girl. Interesting, unique, and we would all love to see your home with these items! What a haunting and beautiful photo of your view.

Woman Seeking Center said...

Dear Crow, I know I needn't really write that I'm smitten with your lantern collection as you know I am, lol. Moreover, I admire your arrangement of the fellows.

I smiled reading your reference to only one of many collections :-) Ah, if only we could devote ourselves to one (or less than endless!) collection variants... But there are far too many winsome and wonderous things that whisper to us for such limits, yes?!?

(and just for the record, they do NOT all look alike - perhaps one must have all-hallows-vision to discern the difference)

Hugs
Issy

Penny said...

Love your collection of vintage jol's! I have 3 of them.... not nearly as fabulous as your's!!
I must go now and check the bottoms to see if they are the real thing... thanks for the info!

*Kountry*Porch*Primitives* said...

Hey, I got up this morning and my green carpet was missing??? :) Soooo good to hear from you my friend! Thank you so much for your comments on my humble little apartment. It's small so I had to choose only some pieces to decorate with as I can't fit a house of prims into this small space and I also still don't have all my stuff yet so it's a love/hate thing but made the best out of it!! Gonna try your advice for my post list. I'll be posting some fall dec pics later today so come on over, I loooove your pumpkins!! I actually bought a plastic trick or treat one last Halloween to try to age and create my own with but only got as far as cutting out his eye and mouth openings...poor fella....I think u should just pack yours up and send them to me!! So good to hear from you!! ~Kriss~

Trace4J said...

Spooooky Good Morning to Ya
WHat a cool collection you have there.
Hugs
Trace



www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

Mugwump Woolies said...

Wonderful collection Ms.Crow! Boy do they take me back! I don't need to start a new collection of anything...but...these fun fellows are very tempting!
Hope your little crow is feeling better.
Robyn

myomyohi said...

I love each and every one of them. Great collection.

~Sara said...

What an adorable collection. This is such a nice time of year. Hope all is well with you and the family. Praying for complete healing. Blessings~Sara

frontporchprims said...

Beautiful view from your window today. It is bewitching. Cold too. Your pumpkin lantern collection is so neat. I never even seen one before. Shows how much I know:) I also love your music. The song from Hocus Pocus!!! I watch that movie each Halloween with my girls. It's a classic in my book. Thanks for sharing.
-Steph-

Cabin Fever Primitives said...

Love the dry cornfield blowing in the wind. Brings back many memory's of living in Wisconsin. Thank you for sharing, forgot how beautiful yet simple that can be.
Connie

BumbleBeeLane said...

I have just one tucked into the mercantile cabinet.I love his face and leave him out all year.Lovely collection.Hugs!~Amy

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Hello Girlfriend!
Wonderful collection indeed!!!
I don't own any ~ but do love them.
TFS
Prim Blessings
Robin

lms said...

wow...that first picture is breathtaking....and your collection is to die for....love how you have thm setup in that last picture....enjoy the season....linda

Theresa said...

I love your vintage lanterns...and thank you for the info. I've always been afraid to buy one because I couldn't tell if they were old or not....now I know....I'm going to start collecting them. :0)

Prims By The Water said...

Wow Robin..you taught this antique lady something today. I did not know about the bottoms of these lanterns..thanks for the lesson..will have to go and check the store now as one of my dealers has a few of these in his booth..your collection is spooktacular!!! Take care, Janice

RURAL said...

Those are amazing, and I don't think I have ever seen one, obviously they are very popular with collectors.

Bootsie informed us that he will give us a chance to make it up to him, doing his bidding, and running to catch and carry.

He plans on keeping your application, in case we don't keep up to his standards. Oh, and he wanted to know if cat treats came with your references....lol.

He's a hard taskmaster, but if we apply ourselves, he might just approve of us.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Roberta said...

Thanks for the information on how to spot the real vintage pieces. I also didn't realize they really put candles in these--yikes! Surprised any survived but we're lucky that diligent owners kept them from going up in flames. Happy Halloween! ~Roberta

Sherry said...

Well aren't those interesting. Love the picture out your window. I would have had to take a walk! Have a good weak.