A Clapsaddle Hallowe’en

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A very Clapsaddle Hallowe’en

Have you ever seen this picture before?

What about this one?

I’m sure you have seen pictures like this as they are reproduced in countless stores across the country.  What is so significant about these images?

They are Clapsaddle postcards!  Ever heard of that?  No?  Well I’m about to tell you!

Ellen Clapsaddle was an American illustrated and the most prolific postcard and greeting card artist of her time (and I daresay, ever?).  She was born in 1865 in New York.  She was always good at painting and illustrating, and in her free time sent her work to NYC publishers.

Her work was very popular and she quickly became known for her illustrations.  She was hired in 1906 by the Wolf Company.  Her postcards were made from 1898 to 1915.  She created over 3,000 designs during this time.

Her work to this day remains popular.  Her cards are mainly centered around holidays.  Her Halloween cards are her most popular.  In mint condition they can sell for $100  Let’s take a look at some of them and see why!

I like how Mr. Wise Owl wants to know who’s giving the greeting

Of course I’m a sucker for cats.

Remember, Zeppelins were very high-tech back then!

A very cute little kid

I do like this one a lot

A very large pumpkin, big enough to sit in!

This one I think is kind of funny

love this one!

Another pretty famous image of hers

I don’t know what the letters in the pumpkin mean?

This is one of my favorites

As is this one. Both include a witch, a cat, and a pumpkin!

Aren’t these postcards CUTE?!  Hard to believe they are 100 years old or older!!  Notice on all of them they are identified by her signature, Ellen H. Clapsaddle.  That’s the easiest way to identify her postcards if you are unable to recognize them by her style.

She has many many more designs, too many to feature!

What I like for these as Halloween decorating is that 1. they are antique.  2.  They are unique.  (rhymes!) and 3. they aren’t “scary” or Halloween grotesque.

You can search for Clapsaddle postcards on eBay.

I love this Clapsaddle wreath:  I saw it at Roger’s Gardens but found it online here too.

Hope you enjoyed!  Thanks for stopping by!!
Make sure you check out my other Fall posts!