A group of the famous Samuel Schmucker Halloween postcards will sell as part of Morphy Auctions' October 25-26 Postcards and Ephemera in Philadephia.
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The set of six cards is a perfect example of Schmucker's work, combining European art nouveau style with that of the American Brandywine illustrators. The result is some of the most iconic American postcards, with this set valued at $600-800.
Schmucker (1879-1921) had paralysis in his right arm from an early age, but established himself as a commercial artist nonetheless. He studied at the Howard Pyle Institute in Drexel alongside future leaders in illustration such as Jessie Wilcox Smith and Maxfield Parrish.
His cards are considered the peak of the golden age of American postcards, with the Halloween examples created for the Winsch company some of the most collectible in the world.
Leading bids at $3,000-6,000 is a postcard of Uncle Sam as Santa Claus, standing at the bedroom window of sleeping children.
Paul Fraser Collectibles also has a selection of collectible postcards for sale.