Halloween Postcard, "A Starry Hallowe'en," circa 1915
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Artifact Overview
Halloween's superstitious origins gave way to a national celebration of mystery and innocent fun in 20th-century America. Seasonal greeting postcards commonly exchanged by friends and neighbors during Halloween reflected a distinctly American blend of olden customs and modern life. This colorful example from about 1915 features traditional superstitious symbols and a whimsical "airplane."
Artifact Details
Artifact
Postcard
Date Made
circa 1915
Subject Date
circa 1915
Creators
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Designed by John O. Winsch
Collection Title
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2008.2.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Cardboard
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Embossing (Technique)
Printing (Process)
Color
Blue
Green
Orange (Color)
Yellow (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 3.625 in
Width: 5.625 in
Inscriptions
Embossed letters on front: A STARRY / HALLOWEEN
Handwritten in ink on back: Daniel / from / Mrs Hobart
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Related Content
SetHallowe'en in Greenfield Village: Postcards
- 15 Artifacts
A distinctly American blend of Halloween traditions emerged by the late 1800s. Into the 20th century, the holiday was mostly an innocent celebration of mystery and fun, but friends and neighbors often exchanged seasonal greeting cards that evoked Halloween's superstitious origins. This colorful example alludes to olden customs and beliefs involving witchcraft, owls, and black cats.