By Michael Perlman

Pumpkins, black cats, witches, ghosts, scarecrows, and gourds are coming alive in unique ways, if one is fortunate enough to pick up an early twentieth-century Halloween postcard. Halloween was traditionally spelled “Hallowe’en” and originated from “All Hallows’ Evening” in Old English. It was customary to mail a highly stylized Hallowe’en postcard, which consisted of fine illustrations, themes ranging from horror to humor and romance to fortune-telling, calligraphy, poetry, Victorian and Art Nouveau designs, and embossed features.

From 1900 to 1930, it is estimated that over 3,000 Halloween postcard designs were produced, resulting from the success of publishing companies collaborating with fine artists. As the trade migrated into the 1920s, young adults were not depi

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