Halloween Jack-O-Lantern and Goblin Gibson Art Company Postcard

Hallowe'en celebrations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries evolved significantly from their ancient Celtic and medieval Christian roots. The imagery of jack-o'-lanterns, originally carved from turnips or potatoes in Ireland and Scotland to ward off spirits, became widely adopted using pumpkins in North America. Postcards from this era often depicted a blend of the holiday's traditional mysticism with emerging, more playful elements, marking a shift towards domestic and community-based festivities.