Halloween Little Girl Opening Jack-O-Lantern Embossed Postcard

Halloween, as celebrated in the early 20th century, saw a significant transformation from its ancient Celtic roots (Samhain) and medieval Christian influences. The imagery of children participating in festive activities, such as carving pumpkins, became increasingly prominent during this period. The "Golden Age of Postcards" (roughly 1900-1915) made holiday-themed greeting cards a popular means of seasonal communication, with the jack-o'-lantern, originally associated with Irish folklore and root vegetables, becoming a central symbol predominantly carved from pumpkins in North America.

The depiction of a child with a jack-o'-lantern reflects the late 19th and early 20th-century Americanization of Halloween. This shift moved the holiday away from its more superstitious and adult-oriented origins towards a family-friendly event focused on harmless fun, costumes, and trick-or-treating. Postcards like "A Hallowe'en Wish" were instrumental in popularizing these evolving traditions, often featuring sentimental or whimsical illustrations that helped redefine the holiday's public perception.