Santa Claus Over Time
In 1823, the poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" - commonly known as "The Night Before Christmas" - popularized our current vision of Santa Claus. Based on the life of St. Nicholas (a 4th century Greek saint who was known for his secret gift giving), the "jolly old elf" has in many ways become the very image of Christmas in the West. He's known by many names - Father Christmas, Sinterklaas, Christkind, Kris Kringle, to name a few - but he's always a figure of largesse and the magic of the season.
But we don't have to tell you about Santa - he's been a part of everyone's lives for centuries. How we envision him has changed: he's become rounder and more jolly - but then, haven't we all with time? - yet his spirit endures. Following are some photos/drawings of Santa in the 19th and 20th centuries. Do they picture Santa as you know him?
But we don't have to tell you about Santa - he's been a part of everyone's lives for centuries. How we envision him has changed: he's become rounder and more jolly - but then, haven't we all with time? - yet his spirit endures. Following are some photos/drawings of Santa in the 19th and 20th centuries. Do they picture Santa as you know him?
One of our favorites of Santa
This classic photo was taken around 1895.
Hard at work building toys in 1907
Little Mary asked “Are you the real Santa?” in 1949
Santa sometimes travels by ship
A serious conversation
1940's
1919 - he's left his gifts
In the 20's, Santa used the post office
Using that new fangled invention the telephone . . .
. . . to call Santa - 1890
Okay
Who needs reindeer when you’ve got a donkey?
1876 drawing of children getting ready for Santa
1910 - dreaming of Santa, not sugarplums
The cannon is almost hiding Santa!
1940
And in 1897, Santa used the phone
To call for supplies!
Lining up to send their letters to Santa
Santa helps the Salvation Army
1910
