Halloween Postcard Designed by Ellen Clapsaddle, 1917
Add to SetSummary
During the 1800s, Irish immigrants had a great influence on the celebration of Halloween in the United States. They substituted traditional lanterns carved from hollowed-out turnips with pumpkins, a squash native to America. This colorful postcard features these jack-o-lanterns, which had become the symbol of the American Halloween by the turn of the 20th century.
During the 1800s, Irish immigrants had a great influence on the celebration of Halloween in the United States. They substituted traditional lanterns carved from hollowed-out turnips with pumpkins, a squash native to America. This colorful postcard features these jack-o-lanterns, which had become the symbol of the American Halloween by the turn of the 20th century.
Artifact
Postcard
Date Made
1917
Subject Date
1917
Creators
Clapsaddle, Ellen H. (Ellen Hattie), 1865-1934
International Art Publishing Co.
Place of Creation
United States, New York, New York
Creator Notes
Illustration by artist Ellen H. Clapsaddle; published by International Art Publishing Company of New York, New York and Berlin, Germany. Printed in Germany.
Collection Title
On Exhibit
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
2010.56.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Embossing (Technique)
Color
Multicolored
Dimensions
Height: 5.5 in
Width: 3.5 in
Inscriptions
Printed on front above image: Ellen H. Clapsaddle Printed below image: Printed Only / Copyrighted By / The / Int'l / Art Pub. Co. 1917 Printed one each under each pumpkin head on left and right borders: Rich Man / Poor Man / Beggar Man / Thief / Doctor / Lawyer / Merchant / Chief Printed on upper left corner of address side: Series No. 1238 Printed upper left address side: International Art Publ. Co. / NEW YORK BERLIN / PRINTED IN GERMANY Handwritten in pencil on address side: Miss Ruth Fowler / N Fowler St / City