Old Halloween Postcards
Vintage Halloween Cards by Samuel Loren Schmucker
Old Halloween greeting cards by Samuel L. Schmucker feature classic Halloween characters but also remind us of some almost forgotten traditions related to this popular children's holiday with ancient roots. For instance, most people have no idea about bobbing on Halloween, and with different living environments, this tradition of retrieving apples from the tub of water using teeth only, is really hard to revive, yet a few strawberries on threads can totally keep the spirit alive.
Witches on Cards gor Halloween
Samuel Schmucker created these Halloween designs in the 10s and the 20s of the 20th century when postcard collectors' clubs had millions of members. His greetings are highly valuable collectibles today, and we have a chance to present at least some of his creativity. To make your journey through Schmucker's legacy, we divided his Halloween postcards due to their themes. Is there any better chance to start than with the witches?
His witches are always active, well-dressed, and pretty (his wife posed for most of them, after all). They are never alone. You'll spot them in very various companies, from anthropomorphic objects to totally fantastic creatures, like goblins, ghosts, and devils. There is a black cat, too.
There are, of course, a few nice humorous Halloween greetings:
At twelve o'clock you must be ready,
and hold your pumpkin good and steady
for by its rays of candle light
on Hallowe'en all things are bright!
In the firelight's gleam,
by the moon's pale light,
in the cauldron's steam,
on Hallowe'en night,
all the ghosts and gobelins
greet your sight!
The time has come
for the witches' dance,
And the spooks from far and near
Will gather and make merry,
For Hallowe'en is here
Are you ready to dance?
Witches use all kinds of transportation, from brooms to corn cobs, from hot-air balloons to Jack-o'-lanterns. Giant bats and owls are their company, not to mention fantastic creatures from other dimensions!
As you noticed, Schmucker skillfully made his Halloween greetings even more glamorous with elements in gold color, which is in contrast with black, dark blue, or dusty brown, while using fonts in an old-fashioned style, similar to Gothic.
We managed to find one of his oldest Halloween designs, which obviously addresses kids, so you can compare it with more contemporary (around 1928!), where the audience is already more demanding.
Schmucker's Halloween Picture Cards with Jack-o'-Lanterns
Another typical trick of the trade was reusing the same design in a different context, as seen in two of the Halloween picture cards below.
How about a greeting:
The dancing owl and a pumpkin gay
Will dance all night till break of day
For this is Hallowe'en so jolly
The time for fun and the night for folly!
Are you already tired of jack-o-lanterns? Here is a pirate skull, another ominous symbol that is quite rarely used for Halloween, and two more vintage Halloween greetings:
When you hear the owls hooting,
Get your Jack o'lantern out,
Put on your shroud and hurry,
For ghosts should be out.
All Hallowe'en, the magic night,
When folly reigns supreme
The pumpkin heads are all alight,
The stars are all agleam.
Would you like to explore more vintage Halloween cards?
Share this post with your friends and enjoy the holiday!