Halloween Ghost Coming Out of Jack-O-Lantern Gibson Art Co. Postcard

Halloween's evolution in America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw its transformation from a harvest festival with ancient Celtic and Christian roots into a more secular, community-focused holiday. During this period, activities like costume parties and parades became increasingly popular, moving away from more ominous customs towards festive entertainment. Postcards like this one emerged as a significant medium for conveying holiday greetings and solidifying its emerging iconography.

The imagery on this postcard reflects the popular symbols of early 20th-century Halloween. The jack-o'-lantern, originally carved from turnips in Irish tradition, widely adopted pumpkins in America, symbolizing the holiday's connection to autumn harvest and folklore. Black cats and bats, long associated with superstition, witchcraft, and the supernatural, were commonly depicted as spooky yet playful motifs, contributing to the holiday's whimsical macabre aesthetic.