Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: witch hats

Bats, an owl, and a black cat accompany a witch as she rides her broomstick over a snow-covered landscape in this illustration from a postcard dated 1910. For a similar postcard, see Halloween—Witch and Black Cat on a Broomstick .

"All Hallowe'en Greetings." A postcard addressed to Dessie Cable, 31 Linden Ave., Sewickley, Pa., and postmarked on Oct. 29, 1910, in Johnstown, Pa. Handwritten message: "Hello Dessie, How's the weather there? We have snow and it's very cold. My address is 935 Bedford St. Moved again. Rose. Ans. soon."

A Halloween postcard addressed to Mrs. Chas. Studt, Lilly, Pa., and postmarked at Conemaugh, Pa., Oct. 29, 1910. Handwritten message on back: "Dear Grandmother, I wish you were down to get some taffy & fudge and nuts. I hope you are well and I will be up soon. Roy. Printed on back: "Raphael Tuck & Sons' 'Hallowe'en' Series of Post Cards No. 174." For another postcard sent to the same person in 1910, see Halloween—Witch with Jack-o'-Lantern .

A Halloween postcard addressed to Mrs. C. Studt, Lilly, Pa., and postmarked at Conemaugh, Pa., Oct. 31, 1910. Handwritten message on back: "With love, from Kit." Printed on back: "Raphael Tuck & Sons' 'Hallowe'en' Series of Post Cards No. 174." For another postcard sent to the same person in 1910, see Halloween—Witch with a Black Cat on a Pumpkin .

Why is the witch holding a knife? Is that a plate of ice cream with a wedding ring on top? Is that a black cat or could it be a big rat? What is pumpkinhead boy smiling at? Why are some early twentieth-century Halloween postcards so puzzling?

A witch holds her broomstick tightly as she rides in the back seat of a watermelon car driven by a wide-eyed veggie creature. A black cat sits next to her, and a bat flies above. A date of "Oct. 31st, 1908" is written on the other side of this postcard, which was published by the British firm of Raphael Tuck & Sons and issued as part of its popular Halloween series 150 .

Addressed to Miss Alice Mae Burns, Welch, McDowell Co., W.Va., and postmarked Oct. 30, 1911. Message: "Guess who."

Margaret Evans Price (1888-1973), a co-founder of Fisher-Price Toys, illustrated this postcard, which was postmarked in 1916.

Addressed on the back to Miss Anna Witmer, York , Pa., R.F.D. #12, but there's no stamp or postmark. Message: "From your Aunt Annie." In this surreal scene from a Halloween postcard by publisher Raphael Tuck, a witch, black cat, and some devils fly out of the top of a creepy jack-o'-lantern centerpiece as children cower in the background. See below for some other Tuck Halloween postcards.

"What the pig tho't of the ghost." A humorous Halloween postcard published by Julius Bien & Co. in 1908.

"Hallowe'en. Friendly fairy, witch, or fay, fulfill the wish you wish to-day. Ellen H. Clapsaddle."