Woman In Jack O Lantern Costume Halloween 1905–1915 Real Photo Postcard
Halloween in North America transformed significantly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, shifting from an immigrant folk tradition to a more widespread, community-focused holiday. During this era, celebrations often involved parties, games, and homemade costumes, which tended to be whimsical or charming rather than overtly frightening. The jack-o'-lantern, originally carved from turnips or beets in Celtic traditions, became firmly associated with pumpkins in America, symbolizing the harvest season and the holiday's playful mischief.
The elaborate, hand-decorated dress adorned with numerous cut-out jack-o'-lantern faces reflects the burgeoning popularity and DIY spirit of Halloween celebrations circa 1900-1920s. Such costumes frequently merged traditional holiday imagery with contemporary fashion trends of the period. The varied expressions on the pumpkins—some smiling, some frowning—underscore the holiday's evolving duality, embracing both festive lightheartedness and its lingering, albeit softened, connections to the supernatural.
The elaborate, hand-decorated dress adorned with numerous cut-out jack-o'-lantern faces reflects the burgeoning popularity and DIY spirit of Halloween celebrations circa 1900-1920s. Such costumes frequently merged traditional holiday imagery with contemporary fashion trends of the period. The varied expressions on the pumpkins—some smiling, some frowning—underscore the holiday's evolving duality, embracing both festive lightheartedness and its lingering, albeit softened, connections to the supernatural.
