Postcards from Santa Claus Sights and Sentiments from the Last Century Robert C. Hoffman

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 Click below for: Synopsis • Contents Introduction • Reviews

Synopsis

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, P�re Noel
Christmas Seals

6. Modern-Day Santa, 1965-Millennium
Holiday Songs with Santa
Santa Goes Hollywood

Conclusion

The Messages in Print
Index

Introduction

Like most people, I can vividly remember my childhood and the excitement I always felt during the Christmas season. The air seemed charged as the holiday neared, and everyone fussed for days to help usher in the celebration. There was nothing like it, especially for my younger brother and me. Our home was transformed into a warm and cozy wonderland. A freshly cut Douglas fir stood poised in the living room, trimmed with colored lights and precious generations-old ornaments; garlands outlined mantles and window ledges; mistletoe hung over doorways; and fiery logs popped and crackled in the fireplace. The tantalizing smell of my mother’s freshly baked cookies and holiday breads filled the air. It was a time of visits from friends, long-distance phone calls, and happy family gatherings (even Grumpy Uncle Henry seemed delightful). I loved it all...the sights and smells, the family and friends. But, nothing was more exciting than the anticipation of Santa Claus’ magical visit.

Santa Claus--that mystical gift-giving fellow whose very name evokes the spirit of the season--is one of the holiday’s most beloved icons. He toils all year in his North Pole workshop, creating toys and gifts for good little girls and boys the world over. It’s not known how he does it, but each year, children awaken wide-eyed on Christmas morning to discover the special gifts he has left for them under the tree. He travels the world round, yet has never actually been seen.

Postcards from Santa Claus offers a unique and fascinating look at this beloved legendary figure. Through beautiful postcard images and personal messages that span over a century, this book chronicles the history of Santa--from his earliest appearance in the 1800s to the present day. You’ll meet Saint Nicholas, the generous fourth-century Catholic bishop who served as the inspiration for Santa Claus, as well as other gift-giving figures in countries throughout the world. You will also see how Santa has evolved over time, influenced by war, politics, and Madison Avenue. Fat, thin, serious, happy, colorful, drab, and, of course, mysterious, Santa has changed, perhaps even as we have changed, depending on the world’s mood and social condition.

Precursors to Christmas cards, beautifully produced holiday postcards had their origins in Germany and Austria-Hungary in the late 1800s. By 1905, postcards of all types were being sold in America by the millions. Holiday cards were commonly used to send greetings of the season to friends and family both nearby and in countries back home. And, as you will see, Santa’s image is one that has been a popular choice for gracing the fronts of these cards, no matter where they were produced. A universally loved figure, Santa belongs to everyone--to people of all countries.

The collection of postcards presented in this book will take you on a historic journey of this “jolly old elf,” mapping out images of Santa as they have been reflected in six major time periods. The book opens with the Victorian “Turn-of-the-Century Santa,” covering the years of the late 1800s, and then moves on to the glory days of the postcard from 1900 to 1919, when “Santa Comes of Age.” During the period from 1920 to 1940, postcards chronicle “Santa Between the Wars,” and in “Santa Goes to War,” they show the important role he played from 1941 to 1945. During the postwar years, when the country’s buying power was unleashed, “Santa Met the Baby Boomers,” and stepped squarely into the world of commercialism. The book concludes with “Modern-Day Santa,” spanning the period from 1965 to the millennium. In each chapter, the cards--both foreign and domestic--and their messages reveal Santa’s changing image over the past century.

In addition to the parade of postcards, fascinating insets throughout the book highlight Santa trivia and interesting holiday features. You’ll discover the origin of the Santa legend, as well as popular traditions of the season; the creators of the Santa we know today; how Christmas is celebrated throughout Europe; Santa’s popular role in film and music, and so much more.

I have written Postcards from Santa Claus for anyone who loves Santa and the spirit of Christmas as much as I do. My hope is that you will derive many hours of pleasure paging through it, as it is sure to evoke wonderful holiday memories all year long.

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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