Halloween Jack-O’-Lantern Forever Postage Stamps

Jack-O’-Lanterns Forever Stamp (2016 Issue)

Value: 78¢ – First-Class Mail
Issue Date: September 29, 2016
First Day City: Anoka, MN
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Method: Offset Printing with Microprint

The tradition of carving Jack-o’-lanterns is rooted in old fears of the mysterious Will-o’-the-wisp from English folklore. These ghostly lights, also known as ignis fatuus or “foolish fire,” were said to appear in swamps and marshes, sometimes resembling a lantern-bearing figure, other times a floating orb of light.

According to legend, the lights would drift away when approached, yet follow travelers who turned to leave, luring them off safe paths — and sometimes to their deaths. To ward off these mischievous spirits, people carved frightening faces into turnips, placing candles inside to mimic or scare away the glowing lights. This custom became especially important on Halloween, a time believed to thin the veil between the living and the spirit world.

Over time, the practice crossed oceans and evolved, with pumpkins replacing turnips in America. Today, the Jack-o’-lantern remains one of Halloween’s most iconic symbols — a playful nod to ancient fears, folklore, and the enduring mystery of the Will-o’-the-wisp.