Halloween, has a great variety of interesting collectibles. There are masks and costumes, a selection of lanterns, noisemakers, trick-or treat bags, toys, greeting cards, favors including candy boxes and various table, mantel, and room decorations, as well as a few cookie cutters and candy molds.

Better than 75% of available Halloween collectibles, including the majority of the most interesting, were made in Germany between 1890 and 1940. Being molded of papier-mache, many pieces have the look of one-of-a-kind, rather than a production-line quality. After 1930 Japanese firms began to produce similar objects. These pieces never had the sharpness of detail or the quality of decoration seen in the European work. Later after WW II, a third line appeared from Hong Kong, mostly made of plastic.

Halloween items of American origin are confined primarily to two areas: metal wares and paper goods. Marx and other well-known toy manufacturers ventured into this field, as did lesser - known metal stamping works.

Even before 1900 American paper doll manufacturers were producing books of Halloween figures that could be punched out and used as table decorations or sent as greeting cards, while most disposable paper tablecloths, napkins, and cups are still made in America.

The pumpkin form is often referred to as "Jack-o-Lantern" as its flickering light was formerly thought to resemble the will-o-the-wisp or fox fire, phosphorescent light caused by rotting vegetation in swampy areas. Among the Chinese it is termed "Emperor of the Garden" and is a symbol of fruitfulness and health.

As a young child and being born very close to Halloween, I acquired the nickname "PUMKIN". Well, now my secret is out! The rest is history.

I love the excitement of the hunt, for my next "Jack o Lantern", but through the years, Halloween collectibles are few and far between.

This past Thanksgiving I showed my 4 grandkids my collection, and they were in awe. Most of the earlier pumpkins were quite frightening in appearance, and with this in tow "was the best ever"...according to the little "Pumkins" in my life.