Bindlegrim is very excited to be back exploring the warm glow of autumn light... with a special Halloween Window created as a one-time insert included only as a freebie with each copy of the new vintage Halloween collectibles guide The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 4. To start then, let's just begin this blog entry with various arty views of the windows, at times together with the book set as described via THR's etsy bookstore or recent blog entry "Vol 4 Halloween Retrospect."
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Dual-side faux stained glass paper window (2 shown) for THR.
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Not to scale: window shown (right) with book trio inset (left).
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Faux stained glass windows assembled by hand are limited.
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Detail of matte color tissue paper that creates a warm glow.
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Following is a description for these windows --- importantly noting once again that they are
not-for-sale on their own, but only included as a free insert with copies of the March 2025 vintage Halloween collectibles guidebook series
The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 4. (
Etsy link here).
To begin, Bindlegrim designs are inspired by research pursued by
THR that proves the originals to be vintage 1940's products created by Milton Bradley. Those originals hail from a time that included well-known art contributors (such as Louise D. Tessin) when the company is regularly involved in education (not only entertainment) and regularly publishing a magazine for educators called
American Childhood. (
Internet Archive link here). And while the new items are true to the
general feel of vintage pieces, the modern Halloween Window cannot be mistaken as such, because Bindlegrim's version is deliberately different in size, imagery, color, and production method (and collages the four characters into one space).
As for construction, the Bindlegrim versions are made of a thick 2-ply museum board frame which has been laser cut by the artist yet hand-assembled in the final steps. Still, the result is a doubled-sided decoration with colored tissue paper inside (very old school) which by result means either side is equally presentable as front or perhaps simultaneously from both sides at once. The tissue paper glows with a brilliant color while the framework remains strong and steady.
But again, this is part of a set (shown below) and Bindledgrim is not selling these - they are free with a copy of THR's newest edition of research from its archive library publications.
THR, V4 is shown here with book, crossword, and decoration.
A little bit about vintage Halloween collectibles guides are in order here, particularly the newest book that releases March 2025 by THR. If you are not familiar with THR publications - basically the archive library publishes research that utilizes many hundreds of primary sources from its collection - to better understand the history of ye olde holiday market. So far there have been
four research digests and one art survey book (with more planned in future). The newest of these digests is
The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 4 with book cover shown below (see
THR's website or
THR's online book shop).
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| Cover art for The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 4 by THR publications. |
While many preview images of the book are available
THR's website or
THR's online book shop (or even via Instagram @halloweenretrospecs) here are a few to make sure this blog entry is complete...
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| Page preview of The Halloween Retrospect, Volume 4. |
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| The Halloween Retrospect, V4 book, puzzle & decor. |
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| THR, V4 featuring an homage window by Bindlegrim |
Well, to close this blog entry, Bindlegrim might advise that while this vintage-style artist has had the pleasure of being involved with
Volume 1 and
Volume 4 digests... THR since it's first release in June 2023 has five books now full of data or images about vintage Halloween collectibles of the past. They are great references for seasoned or new collectors of the hobby.... and here is an up-to-date image of those that the bookstore currently offers:
The Halloween Retrospect Vol 1,2,3,4 & Halloween Artifacxts.
Hope you enjoy and if you do, perhaps Bindlegrim will continue to explore such Halloween lighting projects in future!?!?
