Is it a Find!?

Hello Dan, Seeing that Halloween is approaching, I thought I might ask about this jack-o'-lantern that was my mother's from when she was a child. I display it each Halloween with other decorative items and was curious what its value might be? Thank you, Robin Greetings Robin, Your colorful paper mache jack-o'-lantern dates to around the late 1920s to the 1930s. A lit candle would be placed inside to illuminate its eyes and mouth, and it could be carried by an affixed wire handle. In the early 20th century, Halloween in the United States was celebrated inside the home, by children dressing in costumes or in fashions from foreign countries. It was not until the late 1930s that the celebration of the holiday transformed outside the home, to what is known today as "trick or treating." Halloween collectibles are extremely sought after as they are often very whimsical, graphic and appealing to a large audience of collectors. Your lantern is missing its handle, but it appears to be in relatively good condition. These lanterns are extremely fragile and were often used by children, thus they are rarely found in pristine shape. Your example could realize upwards of $150 to a collector given its condition. I very much appreciate the holiday appropriately timed question and look forward to others you may have.