If you can have Christmas in July, then why not Halloween in May? This post from A Year in the Library reviews some examples of Halloween-themed graphic designs from America from the 1930s to the 1970s, selected from The Comte de Gustibus Collection. Compared to previous (and definitely some upcoming) posts, this one will be light on scholarship and will favor images over text. Examples of Halloween costumes, plastic decorations, and folk art might appear in other posts.
Of the pieces illustrated here, the earlier ones are indicative of a period when young adults would throw Halloween parties, oftentimes in the hopes of meeting that someone special. Later works reflect the decorations intended for children at home and in schools and are more cartoonish in style. The pieces have been arranged thematically so that you might see how styles differ over time. And on the topic of time, many of the dates provided are estimates, as few pieces can be definitively dated.
Just one book on the topic at hand
Time for Halloween Decorations. 2007
Softcover book by Clair M. Lavin. Schiffer. About 22 x 28 cm., 160 pp.
There are many collector’s guides to Halloween paraphernalia published, but few beyond this one (of which I am aware) that focus exclusively on paper decorations, in this case, mostly by the Beistle Company. Consisting of full-color images throughout, the book provides a nice overview of the subject, with most pieces ranging from the 1930s to the 1970s. As with any collector’s guide, ignore the valuations as these are more fluid and arbitrary than the stock market.
Dancing fools...
Put on a happy face...
Deaden up your table...
Being Witched
I have some ideas about witches, but I promised you a lighter post so references to Gorgons, Harpies, and Eris and her kin will have to wait... So, witches. They’re scary and will eat you.
Bat-Witch. 1930s
Jointed die cut cardboard wall decoration. About 46 x 45 cm. (as displayed)
One of the more creepy decorations out there.
The things I’ve seen...
Witch Plate. 1930s
Paper plate by Beach and Arthur. About 20 x 20 cm.
This is about as Deco as you can get on plate.
Too much salt?
Frightening Witch. 1943
Greeting card by Hallmark. About 10 x 12 cm.
A great Disneyesque depiction of a hag-style witch.
Jet Witch. c. 1955
Die cut cardboard and honeycomb paper tabletop decoration by Beistle. About 23 x 28 cm. (decoration only, unopened)
One of my favorite themes in decorative art is the mixing of traditional and contemporaneous iconography. This one opens up a honeycomb to create a flying “jet”.
Flying Saucer Witch. c. 1961
Die cut cardboard and honeycomb paper tabletop decoration by Beistle. About 28 x 24 cm.
From Jet Age to Space Age, the witch now commands a flying saucer, reflective of the popularity of science fiction at the time.
The full effect.
Witch Stirring Cauldron. c. 1960
Die cut cardboard wall decoration. About 28 x 22 cm.
Here a more painterly style is used to render the chef.
This brew is spirited!
Flying Witch. c. 1970
Die cut cardboard wall decoration by Beistle. About 22 x 29 cm.
Silhouetted against a full harvest moon, you can even see the warts on her chin.
Flying Witch. 1970s (?)
Die cut cardboard foil wall decoration. About 31 x 24 cm.
A nice combination of “flat” graphic style offset by the reflective shimmer of foil.
Big Head Witch. 1970s (?)
Die cut cardboard wall decoration. About 51 x 38 cm. (as displayed)
One gets the impression that they had a couple of leftover pieces when they decided to create this chimera.
Woodland Witch. 1970s (?)
Plastic trick or treat bag. About 37 x 30 cm. (without handles)
Another great cartoon-style sorceress.
Scaredy Cats
To keep them company and assist in their good deeds, witches were bequeathed or given familiars which typically took the form of small animals. A common type of familiar was the cat.
Shocking Cat. 1920s
Die cut paper decoration. About 21 x 24 cm.
Expressive “electric” shock lines delineate this feline’s fright.
Frightened Cat. 1930s
Jointed die cut cardboard decoration. About 23 x 25 cm. (as displayed)
Forget Bette Davis; this cat’s Betty Boop eyes...
Scratch Cat. 1967
Jointed die cut cardboard decoration by Beistle. About 18 x 22 cm. (as displayed)
This decoration is a smaller version of one designed in 1960 and reflects a style from earlier in the decade.
Skeleton Cat. 1970
Jointed die cut cardboard decoration by Beistle. About 39 x 32 cm. (as displayed)
This one ups the horror factor a bit.
Fluorescent Cat. 1970s
Die cut cardboard decoration by Beistle. About 23 x 29 cm.
Here the familiar takes center stage.
Great crude graphics!
Just Ghost to Show You
The fascination with and fear of the dead (even beloved ancestors) seems to have been a part of human culture for some time now (as in always). While not my area of expertise, it seems that until about the 19th century, ghosts were depicted as skeletons or shrouded skeletal figures. In the 20th century, these skeletal spirits gave way to more smooth-lined, less-threatening, globulous beings that reached their apogee in Casper, the Friendly Ghost.
Gregarious Ghost. 1920s
Greeting card by Meryle. About 12 x 15 cm.
While many images of ghosts from this period resembled skeletons wearing spectral hooded cloaks, this is an early example of a rounded-headed one.
Moaning Ghost. 1940s
Greeting card by Norcross. About 10 x 13 cm.
What’s a ghost without someone to scare?
Skeletal Ghost. 1950s (?)
Greeting card by Hallmark. About 12 x 10 cm.
Here’s a retardataire example of an earlier, shrouded skeletal ghost type.
Happy Ghost. 1950s (?)
Greeting card by Buzza-Cardozo. About 11 x 14 cm.
Here the ghost serves as the background to the scene itself.
Midcentury Ghost. 1960s (?)
Greeting card by Gibson. About 30 x 15 cm. (opened)
Not quite as bad as valentines from the same period, but puns abound.
Ghostly Ghost. 1960s
Party invitation by Gibson. About 8 x 12 cm.
Nice “dry” brushwork creates the ethereal effect against a blue background.
Ghost with Chains. 1960s
Die cut paper wall decoration. About 30 x 33 cm.
Here’s a retardataire example of a hooded ghost. Is that a chain-ber pot?
This Old House
Haunted house decorations provided their artists with an opportunity to have some fun with the details. Always check out the doors and windows before entering.
Haunted House. 1960s
Die cut cardboard wall decoration by Hallmark. About 25 x 25 cm.
A manse befitting the Addams Family...
Lurkers at the sash (with apologies to Mr. A. Derleth).
Haunted House. 1960s
Greeting card/decoration by Gibson. About 19 x 24 cm.
Not quite as Victorian as the Hallmark version above, but the crisply-rendered black and white inhabitants contrast dramatically with the painterly exterior.
A closer look.
Ghostly Castle. 1970s (?)
Die cut cardboard wall decoration by Beistle. About 18 x 21 cm.
A harvest full moon provides the backdrop t this spectral scene.
Nothing like a hooded axe-wielding figure to make you feel welcome.
Dilapidated House. 1970s
Die cut cardboard wall decoration by Beistle. About 22 x 29 cm.
Another from the florescent series, this one features pterodactyl-like bats circling about!
Um, does this look like a hanged man to you?
Boning Up
And what would Halloween be without the specter of death? Here are just a couple of bonny bony fellows to remind you- ars longa, vita brevis. Or is that vita buthead? I always get those two mixed up.
Skeleton. 1930s
Heavily embossed jointed die cut decoration. About 69 cm. tall (head to toe)
Germany produced some of the finest Halloween decorations in the 1930s, many of them carrying on the Danse Macabre tradition. This is a prime example of the craft.
An arresting gaze.
Happy Skeleton. 1960s
Cardboard wall decoration. About 23 x 29 cm.
A much more “humerus” take on the subject.
Look closely and you’ll see why he’s so happy...
I hope you found some eye candy amongst this post’s images for your mind’s trick or treat bag. The Collection encompasses a wide array of materials and subjects from all over. Stop by in two weeks (or so) for something completely different...
Thank you for visiting.
de Gustibus
“Nothing is but what is not.”