Welcome to Flashback Friday! Collecting holiday vintage postcards is a big passion of mine! Postcard images can be fun, sweet, romantic or scary, depending on the holiday. The connection to holidays long ago is so meaningful. The cards I truly cherish are those that are postmarked and have handwritten notes. They provide a tiny glimpse into the lives and times that came before us. I feel a sense of honor in having a chance to preserve and share a tiny part of history and illustration. Of all the holiday postcards, vintage Halloween postcards, some with romantic superstitions of the day, are my very favorite!
Vintage Halloween postcards are one of the most highly collected of all the holiday cards from the Golden Age of Postcards, 1898 through 1918. Interested in learning more about vintage postcards? See my earlier post here on New Year’s postcards for some starter resources. I’ve looked forward all year to sharing some of my favorite vintage Halloween cards with you!
Raphael Tuck & Sons manufactured the following three cards.
These two are from the Tuck “Hallowe’en” series – I love that the little goblins are frosting a cake!
Artist signed cards are highly sought after and I’m lucky to have a Halloween card from artist Frances Brundage. How sweet is this? Bobbing for apples at Halloween started a long time ago!
This card is from artist Ellen Clapsaddle, who was one of the most prolific postcard illustrators of her era.
Many romantic superstitions surrounded Halloween at the turn of the century. They often made their way onto postcard artwork. Most of the superstitions had to do with the revelation of the future husband’s face of a single lady on Halloween! My daughter and I were talking about this and her comment was, “I wish that worked!” Ok, we’re going to give it a try. She’s holding out hope that it’s Adam Levine in the mirror! (I know, he’s engaged, but he hasn’t put a wedding ring on it YET!) ?
Some of my cards, of course, are showing a bit of wear and tear. It just amazes me, though, that these little pieces of art have survived for so many years. This card is postmarked October 25, 1910 – can you believe this is 103 years old? I so hope that someday in the future, my great-great grandchildren will be marveling that these cards are 300+ years old!
It’s hard to read this onscreen – the Hallowe’en Don’ts!
Don’t get nervous, have no fear
Make friends with the witches
And they will give you good cheer.
I hope you enjoyed these cards, a little vintage Halloween spirit and some fun superstition as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing them. Oh, and I’ll TOTALLY let you know if Adam makes an appearance in the mirror on October 31. Better make sure I have the right kind of candle!
Have a great Friday – and hope you’re ready to get your party on for Best of the Weekend tonight at 8:00 p.m.!
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Dear Cindy, These postcards are adorable and beautiful. I love little vintage treasures like these. You have such a beautiful collection. Blessings, Catherine xo
Hi, love these vintage postcards! Someone else I know of that blogs collects vintage postcards too. Do you know of her? She is ..Doll in the Looking Glass (on her blog she often posts the Postcards). Have a nice weekend.
Hi Sue! I haven’t visited Doll in the Looking Glass – thanks SO much for sharing this, excited to visit! Thank you so much for popping in today and hope you have a fantastic weekend!
I can see why you love vintage postcards. They are so charming! Do you display them during the fall season? I’d love to see how you do that. You probably have to keep in mind that they are collectible and preserve them too, so maybe that’s a challenge to display. I think my favorite is the one of the woman and child looking out the window towards the witch in the moon. ?
Have a wonderful weekend! Sharon
Hi Sharon! They are charming, aren’t they, and a fun peak into an earlier time. I really want to display them and one of these days, I need to get them properly framed with archival mats. I’m working hard to try to keep around for another 100 years. ? Thanks so much for visiting and hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Yay! Flashback Friday! ? I adore your Halloween postcards- what a wonderful collection you have! I did not know about the Husband’s Face in the Mirror superstition; it’s fun learning about how people used to do things. I especially like the postcard postmarked October 25th- my birthday (well, the Oct. 25 part- not the 1910 part, lol!). I always had Halloween birthday parties growing up. ?
Thank you for Flashback Friday!
Love, Joy
Joy, thank you! I do love my Halloween postcards – it’s really fun to read the messages on the back of them too! I was laughing so hard at your 1910 comment – though am happy to know when your birthday is! ? I LOVE that you had Halloween birthday parties growing up!! See, that’s a PERFECT Flashback Friday story! ? I am always so happy when you visit me. Have the best weekend and hope to see you at the party tonight!! xoxo
I am so envious, what an incredible collection. I love seeing the old images and ideas, sayings. I was born in 1940 so have seen this type of graphics on things which I love. The minute I see the old printing with cute fonts and images I am drawn to them. It’s so great you share these with all of us, I’m so glad you have. I always gravitate to vintage image sites. Gratefully there are several online now. Happy weekend
My favorite is the girl and woman looking out at witch flying by. Love how the cat’s back is arched riding on the broom. Love your blog.
Jane Ellen, thank you so much for totally making my day! I’m glad that you like these postcards and it’s a joy to share them! I love all things vintage. Hope you have a happy weekend!
Those were fun to see and read! Thanks for sharing them Cindy!
What a fun post to read Cindy! I love these sweet vintage postcards. I have purchased some replicas over the years but never for Halloween – how fun! You definitely must let us know how you are able to display them. Pinning! xo