Hallowe’en
One hundred years ago today … It was Halloween, and children put their costumes. Here are two costumed groups from 1920s NY.
Convalescent Home for Hebrew Children, Rockaway, Queens. Everybody: A History of Disability in America.
Adults dressed up too, especially to attend parties on Saturday, October 30.
The Sun and New York Herald, 30 October 1920, p.17. Chronicling America,
Then as now, some people’s costumes were other people's culture.
Daily News, 4 November 1920, p. 8. Chronicling America.
Halloween was, of course, a marketing opportunity. Local chain United Retail Candy Stores tried to lure customers to one of its “Happiness Stores.”
Evening World, 29 October 1920, p. 17. Chronicling America,
Also attempting to do good business were the department stores, such as Abercrombia & Fitch, “where the blazed trail crosses the boulevard.”
New York Tribune 327 October 1920, p.17. Chronicling America,
WRITTEN BY JONATHAN GOLDMAN, OCTOBER 31, 2020
TAGS: holidays, costume, shopping, department stores, marketing, parties,