Halloween Postcard, "A row of Pumpkins," 1909

01

Artifact Overview

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 postcards that evoked Halloween's superstitious origins. This colorful example includes a witch and a jack-o-lantern -- two symbols of Halloween's superstitious origins.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Postcard

Date Made

1909

Subject Date

1909

Creator Notes

Published by Julius Bien & Co., New York, New York

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2007.64.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cardboard
Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Embossing (Technique)
Printing (Process)

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 3.563 in
Width: 5.563 in

Inscriptions

Printed on front: A row of Pumpkins Handwritten in ink on back: Oct 29--09 / Mystic B--- / Addressed on back: Mina Bickle Laupt [?] / 714 Montgomery St / Syracuse / New York
Halloween Postcard, "A row of Pumpkins," 1909