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Postcards from Santa Claus
Sights and Sentiments from
the Last Century
Robert
C. Hoffman
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ISBN: 0-7570-0105-X
Length: 184 Pages
Size: 8.5
X 5.5-inch
Format: Quality Paperback
Category: Collectibles / History
Price: $14.95
Availability:
In Print
Contents
Reviews
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For well over a hundred
and fifty years, the imaginative illustrations of Santa Claus, alias
Kris Kringle and Old Saint Nicholas, have amused adults and delighted
little children the world over. Since he first appeared in the nineteenth
century, his image has been ever-evolving--from that of a thin woodsman
dressed in green to that of the jovial rotund figure we know today.
In Postcards From
Santa Claus, author Robert C. Hoffman presents
a collection of over one hundred beautifully colored picture postcards
that trace the development of Santa throughout the last century.
From the turn-of-the-century Santa to the Santa of the roaring twenties
to the Baby Boomer Santa, we experience a unique visual history
of this Christmas icon.
In addition to pictures,
the book shares with its readers personal messages of love, well
wishes, and joy--frozen in time. Throughout are insets that highlight
fascinating Santa trivia such as the origin of the Santa legend,
the creator of the Santa we see today, Santa's names around the
world, and much more. For those who love the spirit of Christmas,
Postcards
From Santa Claus
can evoke wonderful holiday memories all your round.
Robert
C. Hoffman is a professional antiques dealer specializing
in vintage posters and postcards. For over thirty-five years, he
has amassed fascinating images of Santa Claus. Numerous pieces from
his beautiful collection have appeared on television and been featured
in antique expositions and exhibits throughout the northeast region.
Mr. Hoffman frequently lectures on the topic of Santa and Madison
Avenue. He and his wife reside in the Albany area of New York.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1.
Turn-of-the-Century Santa, 1880-1899
A Visit From St. Nicholas
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus
2.
Santa Comes of Age, 1900-1919
Good Saint Nicholas
Merry Christmas Around the World
Gimme a Little Kiss
3.
Santa Between the Wars, 1920-1940
Christmas in Europe
Images of Santa Claus
4.
Santa Goes to War, 1941-1945
Christmas in America
Santa's Helpers
5.
Santa Meets the Baby Boomers, 1946-1964
Santa,
Sinter, Pre Nol
Christmas Seals
6.
Modern-Day Santa, 1965-Millennium
Holiday Songs with Santa
Santa Goes Hollywood
Conclusion
The
Messages in Print
Index
Reviews
"Mixing social and cultural scholarship with
a touch of child-like glee, Robert Hoffman gives us a thorough and
fascinating look at the portrayal of Santa Claus through 120 years
worth of postcards and trade cards featuring the North Pole's most
famous resident."
Ephemera News, Winter 2003
"Hoffman, a professional dealer in antique
postcards, offers illuminating commentary with plenty of photos
of Santa cards."
The Detroit Free Press, December 2004
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