Before Halloween costumes became quite so polished, we had this.
A red jumpsuit.
A plastic devil mask that probably had approximately six molecules of oxygen getting through it.
And sneakers.
Because even the Prince of Darkness needed sensible footwear for trick-or-treating.
This original color snapshot is dated November 1989 and captures a child dressed as a little devil in front of the family fireplace, complete with a carved jack-o'-lantern lurking just behind them.
And that mask is magnificent.
It's creepy in the very specific way old Halloween costumes were creepy, when apparently nobody was particularly concerned that children's masks looked like props recovered from a low-budget horror movie.
The whole photograph is a perfect little time capsule of late-1980s Halloween.
Put it out with your Halloween decorations, tuck it into a spooky gallery wall, add it to a collection of vernacular photography or strange found photos, or display it among your haunted relics where absolutely nobody needs to know that our tiny demon was probably just waiting to go collect some Reese's Cups.
Condition
Original vintage color snapshot dated NOV 89 along the border. This photograph was removed directly from an old photo album and has significant paper and adhesive residue across the back from where it was mounted to the album page. The front shows normal age-related color shifting and light handling wear. The album residue is on the reverse and does not affect the image itself. Please review photos carefully for exact condition.
