Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: witches

The word "Hallowe'en" in gold letters is barely visible against the dark blue nighttime sky at the top of this postcard. On the ground down below, five young women carrying jack-o'-lanterns and wearing white robes are accompanied by a black cat as they make their way through a scary forest where even the trees and rocks seem to have menacing faces. I'm not sure what to make of this scene. Could these be novice witches on their way to a Halloween initiation where they'll receive their broomsticks and black garments? Or perhaps they're just Halloween partygoers who've gotten lost in an appropriately sinister setting. Unfortunately, the other side of the postcard doesn't provide any clues to explain the illustration. A handwritten message says, "Was at Phila. [Philadelphia] for first time, Oct. 17, 1914, Ida," but otherwise there isn't any address, stamp, or postmark.

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 .

A quirky Halloween postcard addressed to R. D. Bell, Bellwood, Penna., and postmarked Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 2, 1910.

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."

An owl and a bat flap their wings through the nighttime sky as Cupid stands on a cloud and contemplates whether to shoot an arrow at the full moon, where a witch has replaced the Man in the Moon. I can't help but wonder whether L. R. Conwell, the publisher of this 1909 postcard, recycled a Valentine's Day card to compose this perplexing scene, but a search for other Cupid cards didn't uncover any similar postcards. Conwell also featured Cupid in at least one other Halloween postcard. See Wishing You a Lucky Halloween :

"Come out and join the fun and watch for ghosts when Hallowe'en comes on."

"A Hallowe'en party! Oh, that's the fun / We'll join it at the set of sun."

Don't forget to make time for stunts during your Halloween party! This handy dandy Whirl-O spinner makes it easy. Who wouldn't want to "Whistle ' Yankee Doodle ' with a saucepan on your noodle" or "Throw ten feet, never fail, three potatoes in a pail"? You'll find out who can "Squirm and wiggle, then laugh and giggle" or who's more likely to "Keep a straight face for a while, let nobody make you smile." Of course, you'll have to prepare ahead of time. In addition to a saucepan, potatoes, and a pail, you'll need some string, a broom, a blindfold, an apple, some balloons, needle and thread, and a bunch of other stuff. Check out the full list of stunts below. You may want to practice each one before the party so that you can demonstrate for your guests. -------- Whirl-O Halloween Fortune and Stunt Game Take a string and where you stand, tie a knot with just one hand. Ride a broom around the floor, come back where you were before. Leap like a frog and give a croak. Walk a strait line to the end, never slip or descend. Turn blindfolded ten times round point to your love. On your tip-toes nice and fine, cross the room in one strait line. Push an apple, nothing more, with your nose across the floor. Stand up and bow, and moo like a cow. Squirm and wiggle, then laugh and giggle. Try your wind and see how soon you can burst a toy balloon. Take a needle, shove thread in it, all in less than half a minute. Throw ten feet, never fail, three potatoes in a pail. Swing an apple on a string, bite it on the second swing. See if you can show this knack, tie a bow behind your back. Whistle Yankee Doodle with a saucepan on your noodle, Bite and chew as fast as able five marshmallows from the table. Keep a straight face for a while, let nobody make you smile. Stand on your toes and wiggle your nose. Spin like a top until you have to stop. Make a spoon linger on your little finger.

"Witches Watch - Oct. 31st, '14. 8:00 p.m. - Masks! 2439 No. Eleventh Street. Admission - 25¢. ea. Guess you know who all!" Handwritten note on the back of the invitation: "George: Let me know if you come and how --singles or doubles! Marg. Hunsicker, 2852 N. Orkney St." A hundred-year-old Halloween party invitation! The flustered jack-o'-lanterns appear to be printed die-cut pumpkin shapes, but I'm not certain whether the witch silhouette was cut by hand or from a die. After using Google to search for the addresses (2439 N. Eleventh Street and 2852 N. Orkney Street), I believe that the location is probably Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was surprised to discover that I couldn't find any precedent for the term "Witches Watch." I assumed that watching for the appearance of witches would be a common activity--and party theme--during the Halloween season, but the only reference to a similarly named event that I was able to locate came from the Spokane Daily Chronicle , Oct. 21, 1937, p. 3: "'Witches' Watch Halloween Ball. Chewelah, Wash., Oct. 21--(Special.)--Witches and pumpkins of paper decorated the Masonic hall Wednesday night when the Eastern Star held its invitational dance. Refreshments were served." Or perhaps I have it all wrong--maybe the witches are the ones who are doing the watching. Or--on a sillier note--could it refer to a timepiece worn by witches? Any other sightings of "Witches Watch" out there?