The Fatal Bellman

Owl by Pablo Picasso, 1948

Detail from The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, c. 1500

A Monkey Smoking And Drinking With An Owl by Ferdinand Van Kessel, 17th century

Great Horned Owl chromolithograph by Louis Agassiz Fuertes from The United States Department of Agriculture Yearbook, 1908

Boy With An Owl (“I hold the owl for my pleasure. If you seek a brother, you have one here.”) by Cornelis and Hendrick Bloemaert, early 17th century

Happy Halloween.

A Happy Hallowe'en -- Beware! Take care! For ghosts are seen on HALLOWE'EN postcard, late 19th century

Good Wishes for Hallowe'en postcard, late 19th century

When the Owl & Witch together are seen, / There's mischief brewing on HALLOWE'EN postcard, late 19th century

Beware of ye wiles of Satan -- Halloween Greetings postcard, late 19th century

In honor of our favorite bird's favorite holiday, your faithful Bellman will be making this a "theme week" with a special series devoted to vintage Hallowe'en memorabilia.  Enjoy!

"Caught Napping," illustration from Story of the Bible Animals by J.G. Wood, 1888

A Pair of Skating Owls by Adriaen Pietersz van de Venne, early 17th century

A Horned Owl With A Captured Mouse, 19th century woodcut, artist unknown

An Indian Owl, a Stork, and a Heron, illustration for the works of Zakariya al-Qazwini by Muhammad ibn Muhammad Shakir Ruzmah-'i Nathani, 1717

A Young Brown Owl by Edwin John Alexander, 1907

Pluck The Owl, Italian board game, 18th century