A Nostalgic Look at Halloween from Back in the Day

This haunting black-and-white photo from the 1940s shows a group in front of a shop window filled with masks labeled “Magic Tricks.” The oversized heads, grotesque masks, and eerie expressions capture the raw, unsettling spirit of early Halloween traditions in New York City.

Costumes then were handmade or bought from small novelty shops, often more terrifying than playful. The photo reflects an era when Halloween leaned into the macabre, with children and adults alike donning surreal disguises. It’s a vivid reminder of how the holiday once blurred the line between fun and the uncanny.