For your Halloween enjoyment we present "The Commercial Vampire," a Leon Barritt cartoon from the July 20, 1898, issue of Vim, a short-lived satirical weekly published in New York. Painting department stores as bloodthirsty predators of small independent businesses, the same argument made today in some quarters against giant retailers like Wal-Mart and Amazon. View full size.

Based on circa 1950 fruit crate label artwork. (More examples here.) This sassy Santa print is guaranteed to put you in a holiday mood. View full size.

"The Works Progress Administration in Ohio presents the Federal Theatre for youth in 'A Christmas Carol.'" This poster for the Federal Theatre Project presentation of "A Christmas Carol" was created between 1936 and 1941.
View full size | Vintage Christmas Photos

From 1939 and Alexander Dux, a Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Project poster promoting tourism. View full size. Now a fine-art print.

A 1939 Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Project silkscreen poster promoting Sea Cliff, Long Island. View full size. Now a fine-art print.

A 1937 Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Project poster asking New Yorkers to keep the premises clean. View full size. Now a fine-art print.

A Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project poster from 1941 extolling the benefits of retail commerce. View full size. Now a fine-art print.

A circa 1940 Illinois WPA Art Project poster promoting literacy. View full size.

A Federal Art Project poster promoting winter sports in New York: "They like winter in New York State. The state that has everything." The poster was created by Jack Rivlota between 1936 and 1941. View full size.

The spirits do come back, if you stay for the second show. 1915 poster advertising an appearance by the magician Howard Thurston (1869-1936), the "King of Cards." Strobridge Lithography, Cincinnati & New York. View full size.

1913 (?) poster advertising a Minneapolis appearance by Claude Alexander, one of the most famous (and wealthy) mentalists of his time. View full size.

And who turned out the lights? A 1928 poster advertising the "brilliant psychic star" Newmann the Great. View full size. Standard Show Printers of St. Paul.

Way back when, the scariest day of the year was May 14. We're kicking off the Shorpy Halloween party with some of the spookiest posters you've even seen! This one's from 1935. View full size. Triangle Poster & Printing Co., Chicago.

A cheery WPA Art Project poster from 1940 for the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority. View full size. Old photos to resume in a few short hours.

A Federal Art Project silkscreen poster from 1941, one of a series of public health graphics so attractively designed, they almost seemed like ads for VD. View full size. Get it while it lasts ... Spread the message with this fine-art print.