Halloween Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear [Hardcover]

Diane Arkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2000

The artful blend of informative narrative, old-fashioned poems, prose, and chants with eye-catching images of vintage ephemera and fanciful illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Diane C. Arkins graduated with a B.S. in journalism from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. She first published feature stories at age nineteen in Seventeen, Co-Ed, and Woman's Day magazines. She has also been a contributing editor for Country Accents magazine and writes regularly for several national magazines. Arkins's other titles include Halloween: Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear, Halloween: Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear Postcard Book, and Halloween Merrymaking: An Illustrated Celebration of Fun, Food, and Frolics from Halloweens Past, all published by Pelican.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing (September 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565547128
• ISBN-13: 978-1565547124
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #424,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Postcards
  • #57 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Holidays

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic Fortunes and Halloween Fun, August 26, 2002

By 

Terrie (Little Chute, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Halloween Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear (Hardcover)

Halloween in the United States wasn't always a children's trick-or-treat holiday. In the beginning of the 20th century Halloween was a time when young adults peered into the murky haze of things to come and used all manner of methods to try to prophesy their romantic futures. Parties were the rage where bobbing for apples wasn't just a game but a chance to search the omens found in apple seeds and peels. Auguries in candle flames, in pumpkins, seeds, nuts and mirrors all were employed by the curious. This wonderful book uses the illustrations of full-color vintage postcards that were the rage in the early 1900s to show the many delightful and quaint oracles that were consulted. It includes numerous Halloween poems and party ideas from a bygone era, even some super costume ideas that could be used today to stunning effect for a nostalgic Halloween celebration. The text is filled with detailed history about the customs of yesteryear and the abundant appeal of the postcard images, pictures of antique table favors and invitations is sure to delight. Do not miss out on this book if you love Halloween. It contains a forgotten and very charming aspect of Halloween and Americana that I found very enjoyable and I think you will, too.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful., August 23, 2007

By 

Linda W. (Kennesaw, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Halloween Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear (Hardcover)

Not quite as good as her second book: "Halloween Merrymaking," but still absolutely beautiful. The layouts and pictures of the Victoriana are crisp, clear and totally enchanting. There's only so much you can do with virtually the same poems and romantic prophesies, but who cares?

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Halloween: Romantic Art and Customs Of Yesteryear Postcard B, November 18, 2002

By 

Jos M. Hohmann (Media, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Halloween Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear (Hardcover)

When I first got this book, I flipped through it and thought,"hey,where's the 'wish list' postcards(Winsch,etc.)?". After I started reading it I realised that the postcards shown were perfect in illustrating the subject matter in each chapter. Also, the "reason" for some of the unusual images (cabbage people, etc.) I had seen on Halloween postcards became clear. A fun and informative book.