Jack-o-Lantern Collection

I have a lot of collections. McCoy pottery, carnival chalkware, Nancy Drew mysteries, salt and pepper shakers, vintage jewelry...I could really go on and on. I'm just a collector by nature and started many of my collections early in my teens when my love of flea markets and junk shops first manifested itself. I don't really collect anything new, however, because I like the history, mystery, and aesthetic charm that goes along with older items.

One of my favorite things to collect is jack-o-lanterns. I just put up my display last night and thought I'd share a few pictures with you.

I started this collection about 12 years ago. I'm not sure how or why...maybe just because carving a jack-o-lantern was always a big deal with me and my dad. I also really like the symbolism of jack-o-lanterns warding off evil spirts. Regardless, these guys have become quite beloved and getting them out each year totally gets me in the Halloween spirit.

It's taken me quite a while to amass this collection as I am quite fussy about the jack-o-lanterns I choose. I want them to look old-ish, but have only been able to afford a couple of real vintage pieces. The jack-o-lantern second from the right in the above photo is the real deal, and I feel so lucky to have him in my collection because he is quite fragile. The guy in the foreground is probably my favorite (the hubby says he looks like a Tim Burton character!).

My newest addition is a lighted jack-o-lantern vampire (you can just make out his fangs in this picture). He's made out of a gourd, and it was love at first site. I bought him last year in Saratoga Springs, NY, and in the Twilight frenzy of last fall may have even referred to him as an Edward-o-Lantern (I know, I know...just wrong!).

Here's my whole mantle. I have a few jack-0-lanterns in our hallway as well, but really like to group most of them together to make a big, spooky statement.

What do you collect? I'd love to hear about it!