If anyone deserves the title Dean of Halloween Collecting, it's Mark B. Ledenbach. He may not have the age typically behind the title, but he certainly has the knowledge and doesn't mind sharing it with the rest of us. One sure sign of his widely accepted expertise -- his book, "Vintage Halloween Collectibles", is cited in numerous Halloween online auctions and rapidly becoming the go-to book for collectors. His name is becoming well-known off line as well. When he does purchase an item in person, many times the seller will do a double-take when they see the name on the check, often wondering if they "gave" something away!
There are few authors of collectible books that really "get it" and he does. Ledenbach gives collectors what they want to read and see with excellent pictures, complete descriptions, well-researched histories and on-target prices. Would-be authors would be wise to use his book as a primer on how to do a collectible/antique book.
Ledenbach has been a collector since a chance happening upon a few boxes of Halloween items that caught his fancy. It was an instant hook and long-lasting. In his book, Ledenbach says "I was fortunate to have started collecting Halloween when I did. This 'Golden Age' of relative plenty, coupled with low prices and quizzical looks from shopkeepers when asked about vintage Halloween in months other than October, lasted until about 1995." He feels he started when prices were at the very bottom, perfect timing!
I had the chance to talk with Ledenbach recently and spent an enjoyable morning talking about Halloween, glass ornaments and even cookie jars!
Mark, your book is excellent, it's one of the best done out there and apparently
it's been very well received by collectors.
How long did it take you to put it together and is there another
book on the horizon?
I had the idea for a book and presented my idea to Krause in January of 2002, by April
2002 we had an agreement and the book was finished by December 2002.
Pricing was the hardest thing, I had a knowledgeable friend who helped me with the pricing. We sat
down and worked for over 27 hours just going through every price in the book.
The book is two years old and now most of the prices are actually lower than the current market.
Any new books coming up?
"Vintage Halloween Collectibles" has been a very good seller and I would like to do an update, along with
additional chapters/pages, but nothing has been decided yet.
I know how you got started -- but wondered about how you buy stuff now? Online?
I did buy a lot on eBay until 2002. Then after my book came out, people would watch what I
would bid on and figure if I was bidding on it, they should too. Now when I bid on something
I use eSnipe -- so it bids just in the last few seconds.
eBay has made collecting too easy and too fun! Basically I can go through a million items just by sitting here. I tend not to shop at antique stores or shows that much. I've gotten lazy. Before I used to go out everyday and look -- eBay is both a good and bad thing.
But I rarely buy on eBay anymore, it tends to be overly expensive and my collection is fairly large already. There are not many pieces I want or are missing anymore. Plus, I feel if I am patient and treat people right, those pieces I do want will come to me.
I have lots of people that contact me asking about their items, if I am contacted and it's something I am interested in I will make a fair offer and not take advantage of the seller. I wind up adding a lot to my collection that way.
Recently I was in a mall in Orange, California with some Halloween collector friends. There was a booth that had lots of reproduction crap that was very overpriced, but in amongst the rest was a black cat candy container marked $80 Looking at it further, I realized it was an original and wound up with a $500 piece for $80.Next >> Pictures and Prices from Mark
