Mystery: Name the Witch

Just guess the witch’s name—that’s all!

The rules and entry form for the Name the Witch Contest appear on the back cover of this vintage Children’s Play Mate magazine.

The artwork is by Fern Bisel Peat, a noted children’s illustrator of the day and art director of Children’s Play Mate from 1935 until well into the 1950s. Peat had an idiosyncratic style, and the dozens of Halloween covers, cut-outs, games, and illustrations she created for the magazine still make a vivid impression today. Her pert cover witches in particular are unique.

So, can you guess the witch’s name? You get three chances. Here’s a hint: “It’s an ordinary first name ... but not used as much nowadays as in days gone by.” The answer, as you might have guessed, is in the picture, hidden rather ingeniously in plain sight. (To be honest, I’m not sure I would have spied it if both my grandmothers hadn’t had the same name.)



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