Santa Claus Over Time
posted Dec 22, 2017 by
Daniel Pinna
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.
A serious conversation
1940's
1919 - he's left his gifts
In the 20's, Santa used the post office
Who needs reindeer when you’ve got a donkey?
Santa sometimes travels by ship
1876 drawing of children getting ready for Santa
1910 - dreaming not of Santa, not sugarplums
The cannon is almost hiding Santa!
1940
Using that new fangled invention the telephone . . .
. . . to call Santa - 1890
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
Santa was commercialized even as early as 1868
Surrounded by children
Poor Santa - the children mobbed him in 1897
Santa was popular with the ladies in 1902
