Vintage Halloween Photos: 2022

It's the last weekend of October and the spooky season has arrived in all it's glory. This can mean only one thing: All Hallows Eve is drawing nigh. As has become the tradition here at The Gothic Embrace, it's time once again to celebrate by extracting vintage photos and illustrations from Halloweens past. 

As always, it is assumed that these materials, being so old, are now in the public commons and no copyright infringement is intended. So, let's move on to the first photo. 

 Now, this pic has got to be old. They just don't make them like this anymore. Not only is the style of artwork unlike most anything we see these days, but I have always appreciated how so many such pieces featured black cats at least in the background. Another feature of these earlier Halloweens was the presence of poetry; or, at least, rhyming lines above or below the illustration. 

What's not to love about this? I have seen this work of art, or very similar ones, for years now. As a matter of fact I purchased a spooky license plate for the front of my vehicle several years ago, and this is basically what I drove around with. The rain, and just plain wear and tear has pretty much ruined that plate, though. I guess I need to get another. 

What I like about this graphic is its rustic nature. Notice the scarecrows in the background, the rural type fencing, and the Jack O' Lantern, perhaps also a scarecrow, on the left. 

This is incredibly touching. I mean, how can any wicked old witch resist?

The above illustration is not only special because of its age and relationship to Halloweens of old, but because a Facebook friend posted it on one of the interesting groups he moderates. You see, he just lost his beloved Jaspee, a cat very much like this one. RIP, Jaspee, knowing that Thomas loved you. 

Well that pretty much does it for this year. I hope you've all enjoyed the photos. A Happy Halloween to all!

 During one week in 2009, BBC Radio 6 was featuring the music of various subcultures. On May 22, the network focused on the goth subculture and its music. Some of the better known folks in the goth scene at the time, such as DJ Martin Old Goth and DJ Cruel Brittania, suggested creating a special goth day. May 22 became "a day where the goth scene gets to celebrate its own being, and an opportunity to make its presence known to the rest of the world." Tomorrow we celebrate the thirteenth annual World Goth Day. 

Celebrations are taking place in many parts of the world. If you would like to see if something is taking place near you, just follow this link to the World Goth Day website. 

Have a great day!

Horror Addict's Guide to Life

 

 

Some years ago I mentioned my association with a group called Horror Addicts Dot Net . During my time interacting with them, my story, Night of the Harvestmen, was featured on one of their monthly podcasts. It is that story, I Believe, that won me their First in Blood Award for one season. I don't remember what year this was, and due to time factors, I don't have time to de the research. Still, I believe that I posted about it somewhere on this blog. 

Several year ago Horror Addicts published a book entitled A Horror Addict's Guide to Life. Now, the group is celebrating the public of a second book called Horror Addicts Guide to Life 2. This book is the love child of editor Emerian Rich, who did a tremendous amount of work in making it all happen. The publication also contains some of the work I did for the group. No, it doesn't contain any of my fiction, but rather, several non-fiction articles I wrote for them. 

Today, the group is launching its celebration of the book's publication, so this is my little part in helping with that good cause.  I strive to keep this blog non commercial, but will compromise with that rule a bit by including some further info, including purchasing info below. 

Congratulations, Horror Addicts on a job well done!

Do you love the horror genre? Do you look at horror as a lifestyle? Do the "norms" not

understand your love of the macabre? Despair no longer, my friend, for within your grasp is a

book written by those who look at horror as a way of life, just like you. This is your guide to

living a horror addict’s life.

Our month-by-month almanac with important dates, movie lists, puzzles, crafts, articles, and

recipes will guarantee your whole year is occupied with delightful horror activities. Don’t miss

our monster guide with articles about vampires, zombies, ghosts, and some creatures that just

can’t be categorized. Enjoy interviews with creators of horror content and hear perspectives from

different cultures and backgrounds. Read stories of real hauntings, nightmares, and vile

vacations.

Allow us to curate your horror lifestyle.

With articles by: A. Craig Newman, A.D. Vick, Alyson Faye, Angela Yuriko Smith, Brian

McKinley, CM Lucas, Camellia Rains, Carrie Sessarego, Chantal Boudreau, Courtney Mroch,

Crystal Connor, D.J. Pitsiladis, Dan Shaurette, Daphne Strasert, Dee Blake, Emerian Rich,

Geneve Flynn, H.E. Roulo, H.R. Boldwood, J. Malcolm Stewart, James Goodridge, Jaq D

Hawkins, Jeff Carroll, Jonathan Fortin, Kate Nox, Kay Tracy, Kerry Alan Denney, Kieran Judge,

Kristin Battestella, Ksenia Murray, Lee Murray, Lionel Ray Green, Loren Rhoads, M.D. Neu,

Mark Orr, Martha J. Allard, Michael Fassbender, Mimielle, Naching T. Kassa, Pamela K.

Kinney, Priscilla Bettis, R.J. Joseph, R.L. Merrill, Rena Mason, Renata Pavrey, Rhonda R.

Carpenter, Russell Holbrook, Selah Janel, Steven P. Unger, Sumiko Saulson, Tabitha Thompson,

Theresa Braun, Trinity Adler, Valjeanne Jeffers.

Available now at: Amazon.com

((direct link if needed: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YNF5QM3))

A Tribute to Holly

She calls herself a "curator of curiosities," and if you go to her blog you'll see that it is indeed "a collection of creepy curiosities." Holly B. Strange has been presenting her readers and followers with her unique taste in creepy curiosities for quite a few years now, and it has always been a pleasure to go to her website to see just what she is featuring this time around. 

I have personally enjoyed her special event, which has taken place every Valentine's Day. The Vampire's Day Soiree, which celebrated its tenth anniversary last February, has given participants a chance to post all things vampire on their own blogs, while remaining connected to hers. Thus, readers were able to skip from site to site with ease to see what material others had created. 

 For me, the  Vampire's Day Soiree offered a chance to present some of my vampire fiction, as I am inclined to write such material. As I mentioned above, last year was the event's tenth anniversary. Still, I noticed that participation was down last year, and I almost took it as an omen; this, even though I understood that blogging, or at least the blogs I'd been following over the years, seem to be dwindling in numbers. 

Last year, Holly's posts stopped coming. The last addition to her blog occurred early in August. Then, there was nothing. This wasn't like her and I began wondering what was going on with her. Then, and somewhere along the way, I learned that she had taken ill. Since that time information about both Holly's whereabouts and state of health have been sketchy at best. It seems, then, that there will be no Vampire's Day Soiree this coming Valentine's Day, and no blog posts appear to be forthcoming. One can only hope that Miss Holly, as I like to call her, is recovering from whatever ails her. 

So then, today's post serves as a tribute to Holly. It comes with gratitude for all of her efforts and good works. It also comes with a shout out to her. Get well soon, Miss Holly! We miss you!

 Visit Holly's Horrorland