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 portray Santa as you know him?