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The General Foam Plastics black cat and pumpkin “Trick/Treat” blow mold is exactly the sort of vintage Halloween decoration I’d stop to investigate in a thrift store. It’s a small, light-up plastic ornament with a startled black cat and a cheeky jack-o’-lantern, and it has the sort of peculiar old-fashioned charm that today’s mass-produced Halloween decorations rarely manage. Better still, you don’t need to be an expert to recognize it once you know what to look for.
This is not just any black-cat decoration. The documented General Foam design has a cat carrying a grinning pumpkin on its back and a base that reads “Trick” on one side and “Treat” on the other. The collector’s account traces the design back to the late 1960s and describes examples continuing into the 1980s. That’s a useful reminder that the same design can span several production periods.
Recognize the cat, pumpkin, and double-sided base
The first thing I’d check is the silhouette. Look for the arched, rather alarmed-looking cat, the orange smiling pumpkin balanced above it, and the lettering molded into the base. Surviving examples advertised as General Foam are roughly 14 inches tall, making them easy to mistake for an ordinary plastic Halloween ornament when they’re tucked among newer decorations.
Then turn it around. The backs of many old illuminated blow molds were left much less decorated than their fronts, and this particular design has the wonderfully odd Trick/Treat lettering arrangement. Check for a molded maker’s mark and photograph any numbers before trying to date it. One design may have been manufactured over several years, so a mark or molded year isn’t automatically proof of when the particular ornament left the factory.
I collect and thrift because I enjoy the objects themselves, not because every old thing is a jackpot. With a blow mold, I’d choose a sound shell with attractive original color over one that’s been aggressively repainted to look new. A little scuffed paint can be part of its history; a crushed base or a split through the cat’s ears is a much bigger problem.
What a vintage Halloween blow mold is actually worth
OUnitProductions via eBay
Prices are all over the place, particularly in October when sellers know people are decorating. For a concrete reference, an approximately 14-inch General Foam black-cat-and-pumpkin light sold for $59.99 in August 2026. Another 14-inch black-cat-and-pumpkin example with wear sold in October 2026, although its accepted-offer price isn’t shown clearly enough to use as a firm comparison.
I wouldn’t use one sale to declare that every example is worth $60. The maker, exact design, originality, paint, cracks, lighting parts, and local demand all matter. And an online sale that includes shipping isn’t the same as the price you should happily pay at a charity shop or thrift store. What makes this one exciting is the chance to find an identifiable older decoration for an ordinary secondhand price, then enjoy it every Halloween.
Check the light and plastic before taking it home
Lift it gently and examine the narrow parts, especially the cat’s ears, the pumpkin’s edges, and the base. Look for splits, brittle or chalky plastic, crude glue repairs, new holes, and areas where the color looks suspiciously fresh. Shine a flashlight through the hollow shell if you can. Check whether the light opening and socket assembly are present, but don’t reject a lovely intact shell solely because an old cord is missing.
Don’t plug in an obviously brittle, damaged, or improvised vintage cord. Use a compatible replacement light assembly with the appropriate electrical rating, and make sure it’s rated for outdoor conditions if you’re putting the decoration outside. Don’t cram in a hotter bulb to make it glow more brightly. Warmth and old plastic aren’t a combination I’d gamble on.
For cleaning, unplug and remove the lighting hardware first. Dust gently, then try a soft cloth with a little mild soapy water on an inconspicuous patch before wiping the rest. Avoid abrasive sponges, harsh solvents, and enthusiastic scrubbing that could lift aged paint. Dry it thoroughly, and store it somewhere it won’t be crushed or left baking in direct sunlight.
If I spotted the distinctive black cat, cheeky pumpkin, and double-sided Trick/Treat base in a thrift-store basket, I’d definitely pick it up for a closer inspection. It’s a charming, usable piece of Halloween history, and finding one in decent condition is far more satisfying than buying another disposable plastic decoration.
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