Victorian Halloween Greetings Jack O'Lantern Children Card

The first thing that strikes a modern viewer is how intently these four curly-haired girls in their Sunday best — one in blue, one in white with red ribbons braided into her hair, one in pink polka dots, and one apparently whispering sweet nothings to a massive grinning jack-o-lantern — are gathered beneath the festive ivy garland, which reads less 'spooky season fun' and more 'harvest cult initiation.' The pumpkin, sporting two round eyes and a cheerful carved smile, towers over the children while ivy crowns it like the ancient gourd deity it clearly believes itself to be. The children's body language — reaching toward each other, leaning in, one practically nuzzling the stem — suggests the pumpkin has been speaking to them and they have accepted its terms. Artist Frances Brundage signed this vision of agrarian devotion, apparently very proud of her work.