Mid Century Halloween Decorations & Illustrations

There’s something I absolutely love about Halloween decorations and illustrations from the mid-century. The playful, kitschy vibe, with less focus on gore and more on fun, brings me so much joy. With that in mind, today’s post celebrates the season with a collection of vintage Halloween decor and illustrations from the 1940s-1960s.

Let the fun begin!

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.

Mid Century Halloween Decorations & Illustrations

TRICK OR TREAT! Two 1950s vintage candy bags for trick or treating featuring fantastic Halloween illustrations.

I’m a big fan of the black cat with the witch.

Source: Etsy-VintagePrairieHome

1950s Halloween Cardboard Cutouts-Attractive Party Decorations.

Featuring a cute witch owl and a carved pumpkin. These are indeed “attractive” Halloween decorations.

Source: Etsy-TremblaysAntiques

1940s paper cups with Halloween illustrations of bats, owls, moon and pumpkin with a witches hat. Love these!

Source: Etsy-AdvertisingCollector

“For My Secret Pal on Halloween” – 1950s vintage Halloween card of two adorable witches having tea together (I guess they are not supposed to be friends?).

Further Reading: Halloween Roundup: A Collection of Vintage Halloween Ads, Photos & More

1950s / 1960s Modern Mystic Eye Pendulum Game. Just ask the Mystic Eye a question and your answer will appear! Made by Clark Publishing Co.

Source: Etsy-NothingButAntiques

How can you be scared by this guy? You can’t! Impossible! 1950’s black cat top hat die cut Halloween decoration.

Source: Etsy-MysteryMisterAntique

‘Calling All Girls’ October 1958 magazine cover featuring an illustration of a girl in a Skelton costume going thru her trick or treat bag while her adorable dachshund, hides under the ottoman.

About: YM was an American teen magazine that began in 1932 as two magazines—Compact, which was aimed at older teens, and Calling All Girls, which was intended for younger girls (with a cover that always featured the signature dachshund) and pioneered the signature embarrassing-moments column, “Say Anything” (Source).

Here is one more Halloween illustrated magazine cover from ‘Calling All Girls’ this time from October 1960 featuring a girl dressed as a Tiger and a feature on “Giving an Old-Fashioned Halloween Party”.

Further Reading: Vintage October Magazine Covers

Source: Etsy-cheeseboyproducts

What a fun 1950s paper party plate with the most wonderful of Halloween illustrations on it. Love the colours and the placement of the graphics.

Source: Etsy-VintagePrairieHome

One more cute Halloween party plate for this post, because the Mid-Century Black cats are the best! Also the illustrations of the kids heads in their costumes is fun too, but I really love the cats.

Source: Etsy-AdvertisingCollector

If you have a party plate, you must have a party hat! Otherwise how will anyone know there is Halloween party going?

1940s party hat with a very happy witch illustration that is flying out of the hat. Cute!

Source: Etsy-frannyfindstreasures

The cute owls and witches illustrations seen above has been added to this 1950s witches costume sewing pattern featuring a hooked cape & skirt (so adorable!).

Source: Etsy-studioGpatterns

1960s Scarecrow with pumpkin and a haystack honeycomb centerpiece.

Who ever invented the ‘Honeycomb’ decoration is a genius as it is by far one of my favourite vintage party decor items.

Source: Etsy-VintagePrairieHome

“How To Run a 1946 Halloween Party’. I have shared this in another Halloween blog post and I STILL really wish the pamphlet was intact as I would have loved to have heard the suggestions on how to run a successful party.

Black cats with yellow bow ties must of been popular. Vintage Mid Century 1960’s Litho printed crepe paper Halloween party decoration.

Source: Etsy-frannyfindstreasures

Vintage 1960s Halloween Noisemaker by US Metal Toy featuring an illustration of an owl, cat, witch and pumpkin.

Source: eBay

One more noisemaker to end this post due to the illustration being so stunning – A 1950’s US Metal Toy Mfg. Co. Halloween tambourine noisemaker.

Source: Etsy-TheVintageCrateTVC

Thanks for dropping by friends! Are you a fan of Halloween? Do you like the cute images of the season or the scary? Share any thoughts on this topic in the comment section below.

Further Reading: Vintage Halloween blog posts 1920s-1960s (archived).

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Liz