Welcome Fellow Vintage and Antique Hallowe’en Enthusiasts! We can’t wait for Autumn—falling leaves, cool crisp air, warm pumpkin pie, and … HALLOWEEN!!! Many of you know us as long-time vintage Hallowe’en collectors. This is a WONDERFUL example of a Cat-on-a-Fence papier mache or pressed paper pulp lantern from the 1930s to 1940s. He is in UNUSED, NEAR MINT condition! Kitty is from our very own collection and he just SCREAMS Hallowe’en! In all of our years of collecting, this is one of the very few cat-on-a-fence lanterns that we have seen in this condition!
Pulp lanterns such as this one were manufactured from the 1930s to the 1950s. This classic design of Halloween lantern was called Cat-on-a-Fence because the VERY SCARY cat appears to be peering over fence pickets just waiting to scare little children who are visiting for Trick or Treat! Since Kitty has an especially old look and slightly heavier feel ,we feel that this particular example is early and most-likely manufactured in the 1930s.
This piece measures 6 ¼” wide x 8” high (9” ½” high to the top of the wire handle) x 5 ½” deep.
This great, old, black cat lantern is American-made, and features black paint with airbrushed fence pickets in the most wonderful shade of old brownish orange. His whiskers are painted in an unusual shade of brownish-orange as well. We feel that this lantern may retain his original old thin waxy-paper insert. Kitty is in amazing condition considering he has seen at least 70-something Halloweens! When we purchased this lantern, the collector from whom we purchased him believed that the wire handle is original but we believe that it may be a replacement. Most people think of these old pieces as candy containers but they were actually used as lanterns, and believe it or not… lit with a candle! This old kitty-cat has NO CANDLE WAX and NO BURN MARKS on the inside, which leads us to believe that he was unused and has NEVER SEEN A BURNING CANDLE! While this magnificent cat has, no doubt, decorated his homes and celebrated many Halloween holidays, he has obviously been treated with loving care from the families who have previously owned him!
The exact des-CRYPT-tion of the condition of this piece is as follows; there is some slight wear at one seam as well as at the bottom. There is slight wear at the back opening. Other than that, we find no issues to call. This Kitty would be a PURRRRRRfectly wonderful addition to any Halloween collection!
No BONES about it, we have SCARED up a great deal for true Halloween DIE-hards! There is no reserve on these items and a DEVIL-ishly low starting bid so everyone will have a GHOST of a chance. Enjoy!
Please consider making us one of your favorite sellers. We would love to be a favorite eBay HAUNT!
We charge actual shipping costs with no handling fees, so you won’t be COFFIN up too much money! We’ll ship this item for $7.96 by Priority Mail, and we pack with tender loving care. Insurance is optional but strongly recommended.
Please pay within 7 days of end of auction. PayPal and money orders accepted, personal checks may take ten days to clear. We'll ship within 3 business days of receipt of payment. Pennsylvania residents pay 6% sales tax. No Canadian or international bidders, please—US only.
Happy All Hallows Eve ‘08!