For Halloween, I would love one of these delightful, little handmade ghosts from York, England. Alas, The York Ghost Merchants make them in small batches, released only a few times a year. I need to keep an eye out and catch one the next time they are released.
Their website offers a delightful summary:
Welcome to the Ghost Merchants
The ancient city of York has a reputation for being the most haunted city in Europe, perhaps even the world. There is rich tradition here of ghost story-telling which stretches back for many centuries. Ghosts are an integral although undeniably obscure part of our city’s story. York Ghosts are firmly embedded in this history.
Each York Ghost is handmade in our own workshops, combining the best of British materials with the sagacity and resource of generations of Guild craftsmen and women.
Our business follows the traditions imposed by The Sorrowful Guild of Master Ghost Makers. We adhere to traditional values and methods, our ghosts are always made by hand and the techniques that we use ensure that each York Ghost is a true original, complete with an embossed maker’s mark.
York Ghosts are individually packaged in exquisite travelling boxes featuring a hand drawn Ghost Merchants shop, to make the ghost feel at home on its journey from the Shambles to far away places. The Original York Ghost is wrapped in an 1852 map of York, and our Little York Ghost comes in the “Boo” box with oval gilt edged viewing aperture.
Our ghosts are made by hand in small batches and we do not operate a mass production business model. Our shop at No.6 Shambles is open 6 days a week and has over 600 Ghosts to choose from. Our second location ‘The Dispensary’ in St Anthony’s Garden opened in 2023 and stocks Original Ghosts, Little Ghosts and Phantoms.
Every ghost is unique, “with a spirit all its own”
Our one concern is your delight.
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| Black and White Sweep Ghosts |
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| Black Friday Barnardo's Ghosts |
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| Black Kraken Ghost |
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| Solid hand-cast Bronze Ghost |
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| The Comtesse |
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| Crazed Grey Ghost |
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| Drapery Misses |
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| Firebrick Sweep Ghost |
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| Grey Lady Ghosts |
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| Jubbergate Huckster |
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| Lost Woodland Ghosts |
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| Ghosts created for release in March 2021 |
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| Mythe Ghost |
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| Ghost in Oxidized Iron |
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| Poison Garden Ghosts |
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| Hand-cast Polished Aluminum Ghosts |
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| Winter Green Ghosts |
Website:
https://www.yorkghostmerchants.com/
And if you don't live in or near enough to York to get a ghost of your very own, keep an eye on their Instagram account for information regarding releases of new ghost batches!
https://www.instagram.com/yorkghostmerchants/
