Halloween Lanterns from the "Golden Age"




	The following page shows a number of different types of lanterns common among vintage Halloween collections. These delightful items were originally intended to be lit with real candles despite the fact that they are predominantly fashioned from paper materials—but back in the 1930s and 1940s things were different. Thank god so many of these collectibles still survive today. The first and most obvious form of lantern is the stylized Jack-O-Lantern (JOL). The earliest German items were made from smooth cardboard pressed into a mold. The two halves were then sewn or stapled together to form the complete lantern. The lantern would be hand painted and then a printed tissue paper face insert was glued to the inside. The early German JOLs can be recognized by their smooth surface and by their distinctive style which is markedly different from the later American Pulp Lantern. These German lanterns are generally from between 1920 and 1935. Starting in the mid to late 1930s and through the 1940s, the most popular style of lantern became the American Pulp Lantern. Unlike the German pieces, these were formed not from cardboard, but from a clay-like paper pulp that was pressed into a mold and then allowed to dry. It's essentially the same material as an egg carton, only thicker. They were also painted and fitted with tissue paper face inserts. Through the 1950s many of the pulp lanterns took the form of what is referred to by collectors as the “Choir Boy” style. These cute little guys have a totally non-threatening appearance and appear to be singing. Later versions came with battery operated lights to replace the dangerous candle use. Two major manufacturers of these items were the F.N. Burt Company and Pulpco. Another style of lantern is what's called a “slot and tab” lantern. These were generally made from heavy cardboard sides with tabs that were slotted together to form the whole. Sometimes they have inserts and sometimes the eyes/mouth were just left open. Please note that none of these items are for sale.




		Pictured above are two examples of German Jack-O-Lanterns from the 1920s

These eight JOLs shown here are the most common type of American pulp lanterns from the 1940s/1950s. I love these guys! I think their expressions are just so fantastic. Each one seems to have its own unique personality. The one at the bottom most right is a “Choir Boy” style lantern. A good way to differentiate the original pieces from the reproductions is to check the bottom. Original lanterns will have one or more indented rings. Repros will have flat bottoms. Also on the repros, the colors are duller. These JOLs range in size from 4.5 to 8.5 inches in height.

These cat head pulp lanterns were made in both orange and black for quite a number of years.

These collapsible 12-paneled lanterns seem to be sisters. The construction and size are similar, yet they have different imagery and panel detailing. The one on the left is exquisitely decorated with beautiful graphics. The frameworks are constructed from heavy cardboard, and the images are printed on translucent paper which is glued to the inside. These lanterns were produced by The Beistle Co. in the late 1920s. Curiously, the more primitive-styled one on the right is a later design.

This four sided lantern to the right was also made by Beistle during the 1920s and 1930s. It is constructed of a heavy black cardboard frame backed with orange tissue paper.

These two lampshades were both likely made in Germany in the late 1920s to early 1930s. They would have been intended to hang over a small electric light bulb, possibly set out on the Halloween party table.




		Above are three examples of “Slot and Tab” lanterns from the 1930s to the 1950s.