Halloween Postcard, "Merry Halloween," 1909
THF131975 / Halloween Postcard, "Merry Halloween," 1909
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Artifact Overview
A jack-o-lantern is a traditional symbol of Halloween. The tradition began in the Celtic regions of Europe, specifically Ireland, where people hollowed out root vegetables, such as turnips, and lit them with candles or burning coal or embers. As immigrants flooded into the United States in the 1800s they used the pumpkin -- native to America -- as a natural substitute.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Postcard
Date Made
circa 1909
Collection Title
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2016.129.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Printing (Process)
Lithography
Embossing (Technique)
Color
Multicolored
Dimensions
Height: 5.5 in
Width: 3.5 in
Keywords |
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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.