Hallmark Boo Bazaar Halloween Line
- Year
- 1986 Source verified
- Manufacturer
- Hallmark Source verified
About this item
Hallmark's in-store Halloween costume-accessory, novelty and decoration program, sold in Hallmark card and gift shops as the 'Boo Bazaar' from autumn 1986 into the early 1990s. It was aimed at adults as well as children and mixed costume pieces (tails, masks, beanies, ties, jewelry, makeup) with decorations, partyware, T-shirts and pins.
Details
- Holiday
- Halloween
- Archive type
- Other
- Brand
- Hallmark
- Product line
- Boo Bazaar
Collector details
Research notes
RESEARCH NOTE (launch and expansion): Contemporary reporting supports a 1986 launch and a 1987 expansion. (1) Advertising Age, Nov. 3, 1986 (Hallmark company profile; archive.org/details/micro_IA40706924_0261) reports that a new line of Halloween products aimed at the growing adult costuming market 'debuted in October' 1986 as the Boo Bazaar, listing monster tails, spider headbands, dragon-shaped neckties, creature beanies and ghoul jewels. (2) A wire feature in the Jordan Times, Nov. 1, 1987 (archive.org/details/JordanTimes1987JordanEnglish) quotes Hallmark spokeswoman Barbara Miller and says Hallmark launched the Boo Bazaar line 'last year' (1986), with creepy cobwebs, fabric masks, cardboard tombstones, attachable dragon and devil tails and partyware, and that Hallmark was 'focusing more' on Halloween. (3) Dated 1986 store ads use the name: Wilmington Town Crier, Sept. 24, 1986; The Republican (Oakland, Md.), Sept. 18, 1986; Kansas State Collegian and Clarion Call, Oct. 1986; University of Maryland class schedule (coupon valid through Oct. 30, 1986). (4) Expansion in 1987: 1987 ads introduce new formats (glow-in-the-dark T-shirts in Hallmark's (c) 1987 ad copy, Andover Townsman Oct. 8, 1987; Fright Kites, Winchester Star Sept. 1987) and promote 'the new Hallmark Boo Bazaar display' with a Sounds of Halloween cassette offer (Agoura Acorn and Princeton Town Topics, Oct. 28, 1987). The specific word 'expanded' was not found in a 1987 source; the expansion claim rests on the Jordan Times statement plus the new 1987 products and displays. Conflict: U.S. 1 (Oct. 25, 1989) calls the Boo Bazaar 'now in its third year', which would imply a 1987 start; the 1986 trade report and 1986 ads outweigh it. Last dated evidence found: a (c) 1992 Hallmark ad for Boo Blinkers. End date unknown. Scope: the 1988 Clarion coupon ('Hallmark Halloween Boo Bazaar products: masks, costume items, face paints, party items') and the 1989 catalog's 'Boo Bazaar product format' notes suggest Boo Bazaar was the umbrella name for Hallmark's whole Halloween merchandise program (decorations, partyware, stickers, apparel), not only costume pieces. Name check: 'Boo Bazaar' is the correct name and it was a Hallmark line (not another company). The spelling 'Boo Bazar' appears in some resale listings.
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Sources & verification
- Hallmark Halloween/Thanksgiving Catalog 1989 Retail Catalog Supports: Scan of Hallmark's 1989 Halloween/Thanksgiving trade catalog View source
- Advertising Age, Nov. 3, 1986: Hallmark Cards company profile Newspaper Advertisement Supports: A new Hallmark Halloween line for the adult costuming market debuted in October 1986 under the name Boo Bazaar; lists monster tails, spider headbands, dragon-shaped neckties, creature beanies and 'ghoul jewels'. View source
- Jordan Times, Nov. 1, 1987 (wire feature on adult Halloween spending) Newspaper Advertisement Supports: Quotes Hallmark spokeswoman Barbara Miller; says Hallmark launched the Boo Bazaar line 'last year' (1986) with creepy cobwebs, fabric masks, cardboard tombstones, attachable dragon and devil tails and orange-and-black partyware, and that Hallmark was putting more focus on Halloween. View source
- Wilmington Town Crier (Mass.), Sept. 24, 1986: Reading Card & Party advertisement Newspaper Advertisement Supports: Earliest dated retail use found of the name 'Halloween Boo Bazaar' (September 1986). View source
- Kansas State Collegian, October 1986: Cards & Gifts (Aggieville) Halloween Boo Bazaar advertisement Newspaper Advertisement Supports: 1986 Boo Bazaar ad listing Ghoul Jewels, Head Haunters, Disguise Ties, Tails of the Dark, Boo Batons, Monster Mitts, Halloweenie Beanies, candy, balloons and stuffed animals. View source
- University of Maryland Schedule of Classes, Spring 1987 (first edition, autumn 1986): Hallmark shop advertisement Newspaper Advertisement Supports: Autumn 1986 ad (coupon valid through Oct. 30, 1986): register to win Ajax, a giant stuffed pumpkin, and visit 'Boo Bazaar' for Hallmark Halloween cards, treats and party needs. View source
- Andover Townsman (Mass.), Oct. 8, 1987: Thompson's 'Dress to Thrill!' advertisement (c) 1987 Hallmark Cards Newspaper Advertisement Supports: Hallmark-supplied ad copy (carries '(c) 1987 Hallmark Cards, Inc.'): costume accessories from the Halloween Boo Bazaar, naming glow-in-the-dark T-shirts, beanies and Disguise Ties. View source
- Agoura Acorn (Calif.), Oct. 28, 1987: 'Special offer from Hallmark' advertisement Newspaper Advertisement Supports: Hallmark Halloween cassette offered for $2 with any purchase (Ghostbusters, Monster Mash, Thriller, Purple People Eater, Bach and spooky sounds) alongside 'the new Hallmark Boo Bazaar display'. View source
- U.S. 1 (Princeton, N.J.), Oct. 25, 1989: 'Halloween's Monster Profits' Newspaper Advertisement Supports: Feature on the Boo Bazaar display at Amy's Hallmark: novelty ties (Boo!/Slime, cobweb-and-spider, pumpkin bow ties), character makeup, feathered masks, cobwebs, suction-cup skeletons, light-up pin/magnets, an R.I.P. ('Really Into Partying') T-shirt and a new Baby Boo infant costume line; calls Boo Bazaar 'now in its third year'. View source
- WTAE October 17, 1988 Commercials (VHS capture) Other Supports: Item description lists a 'Hallmark Boo Bazaar' commercial among spots recorded off Pittsburgh TV on Oct. 17, 1988. View source
- The Clarion Call (Clarion, Pa.), October 1988: Cardtowne coupon Newspaper Advertisement Supports: 20% off Hallmark Halloween 'Boo Bazaar' products: masks, costume items, face paints, party items (coupon expires Oct. 31, 1988). View source
- Andover Townsman (Mass.), Oct. 12, 1989: Thompson's advertisement Newspaper Advertisement Supports: 'Only at the Hallmark Boo Bazaar!' (1989). View source
- Andover Townsman (Mass.), Oct. 24, 1991: Annie's Hallmark Shop advertisement Newspaper Advertisement Supports: 'Boo Bazaar! Halloween... for young, for old' (1991). View source
- The Weekly Sun (Carmel Valley, Calif.), Oct. 8, 1992: Carmel Valley Pharmacy 'Boo Bash' advertisement (c) 1992 Hallmark Cards Newspaper Advertisement Supports: Hallmark ad copy (c) 1992 offering Boo Blinkers at $7.95. View source
- Leigh Eric Schmidt, Consumer Rites: The Buying and Selling of American Holidays (Princeton University Press, 1995) Book Supports: Scholarly history citing Hallmark materials: revelers were encouraged to turn to Hallmark's Boo Bazaar for costumes and accessories, including 'ghoul jewels' such as dangling-bat earrings and vinyl masks. View source
- Ten Classic Halloween Commercials That Haunt Our Memories Collector Reference Supports: Recalls Hallmark's Boo Bazaar as the 1980s Halloween destination; dates a skeleton-themed Boo Bazaar commercial to 1986 and mentions a plush witch head on a stick and a sound-effects cassette. Reference only: cited, never auto-verified. View source