Halloween Postcard
Halloween, as celebrated in the early 20th century, evolved from ancient Celtic harvest festivals like Samhain and Christian observances such as All Saints' Day. During this period, particularly in North America, the holiday transitioned into a more secular event, characterized by social gatherings, parties, and the adoption of specific iconography. The jack-o'-lantern, a central motif, has roots in Irish folklore where carved turnips or gourds were used to ward off spirits.
The depiction of a child in a ghost costume holding a jack-o'-lantern on this postcard is representative of the era's emerging Halloween traditions and the widespread use of children in holiday imagery to convey innocence and charm. Simple ghost costumes were common and accessible attire for celebrations. Postcards featuring such festive scenes were a popular and affordable means of sending seasonal greetings in the early 1900s, reflecting the growing commercialization and broad cultural embrace of Halloween.
The depiction of a child in a ghost costume holding a jack-o'-lantern on this postcard is representative of the era's emerging Halloween traditions and the widespread use of children in holiday imagery to convey innocence and charm. Simple ghost costumes were common and accessible attire for celebrations. Postcards featuring such festive scenes were a popular and affordable means of sending seasonal greetings in the early 1900s, reflecting the growing commercialization and broad cultural embrace of Halloween.
