SANTA ON THE TELEPHONE : ANTIQUE CHRISTMAS POSTCARD : ELLEN CLAPSADDLE c1907

This is a delightful and highly collectible antique Christmas postcard, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1905–1910, produced during the Golden Age of postcards. The front of the card features a whimsical and charming holiday illustration titled “A Merry Christmas.” Santa Claus, dressed in a fur-trimmed red coat and cap, is shown speaking into an early candlestick telephone, while a young child listens eagerly on the other end. Between them runs a vertical banner reading “THINE OWN WISH I THEE,” lending the scene a poetic, old-fashioned charm. Santa’s sack overflows with toys—including musical instruments—while holly decorates the telephone post, reinforcing the festive theme. The image is colorful, lively, and filled with period detail. The artwork is signed Ellen H. Clapsaddle (1865-1934), one of the most celebrated and widely collected postcard illustrators of the era. The postcard was published by the International Art Publishing Co. (IAPC) and is marked on the reverse “New York – Berlin, Printed in Germany.” This international production reflects the high printing standards and rich color quality associated with German postcard manufacture of the period. The reverse is a divided back, unused, with no message or stamp. This postcard is in very good antique condition. There is light edge and corner wear, minor surface wear, and gentle age toning. There are no creases or tears observed. Overall, this is a clean, attractive example suitable for display or collection (see scans).

This cabinet card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $14.00 or Best Offer.   

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336349936546

Published in: on December 18, 2025 at 1:31 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ANTIQUE CHRISTMAS GEL POSTCARD: SANTA : GILT EMBOSSED : GERMANY

This is a striking and richly detailed antique Christmas gel postcard, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1905–1910, produced in Saxony, Germany, a major center of high-quality postcard manufacturing during the Golden Age of postcards. The front presents a beautifully rendered and sentimental holiday scene featuring a solemn, Old World Santa Claus leaning through a window to present a doll to a young girl clasping her hands in anticipation. Santa is depicted in a long red hooded robe with green gloves and a flowing white beard—an earlier, more folkloric interpretation of Father Christmas that predates the standardized modern Santa image. Evergreen boughs and pinecones frame the scene above, reinforcing the traditional Christmas theme. This card is a gel postcard (also known as a gelatine postcard), printed on a gelatin-coated paper stock that gives the image its smooth surface and richly saturated colors. Gel postcards were most commonly produced in Germany between approximately 1902 and 1912 and are especially prized by collectors for their depth of color and refined print quality. In this example, the gel printing is combined with heavy embossing and extensive gold gilt highlights, including Santa’s robe, the evergreen branches, pinecones, decorative framing, and the elegant script “Christmas Greetings” at the lower right. The gilt remains bright and reflective, adding dimension and visual appeal. The reverse is a divided back, clearly marked “Made in Saxony.” The card is unused, with no message or postal cancellation. (SOLD)

Published in: on December 18, 2025 at 8:52 am  Comments (1)  
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NORTHPORT, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK : BAYVIEW AVENUE : STREET SCENE : RPPC : 1913

This lithographic postcard features a street scene in Northport, Long Island, New York. The postcard pictures Bayview Avenue in 1913. The road, sidewalk, houses and trees, look very much like the street looks today. The picturesque road runs along the edge of Northport Harbor (Long Island Sound), and was beautiful than, and beautiful now.  This postcard was published by the Louis H. Jones Drug Company. The firm was located in Northport. The message includes holiday greetings and the addressee lived in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York. SOLD

Published in: on March 24, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CHRISTMAS POSTCARD : ADORABLE CHILDREN, LARGE DOLL, AND A TOY BOAT UNDER A VERY DECORATED XMAS TREE : RPPC 1908

The caption under the photograph on this holiday greeting real photo postcard wishes the recipient a “Happy Christmas”. Two adorable children are standing under a copiously decorated Xmas tree. The kids are accompanied by a large doll and a toy sail boat. This French postcard has a French stamp affixed to the front of the card. The card has a 1908 postmark. The postcard was published by PC as part of a series (No.4013) and is in very good condition (see scans). SOLD

Published in: on December 25, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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SMILING CHILD IN A BOX : XMAS PRESENTS : BELLEVILLE, KANSAS (1908)

This vintage real photo postcard features an adorable child climbing out of a gift box. There are other presents next to the child’s gift box. The child is wearing a silly hat and a wonderful grin. This may or may not be a Christmas postcard. There is a “Merry Christmas” wish embedded in the postcard’s message. The writer of this postcard (Maggie) has sent the card to her Aunt and Uncle in Belleville, Kansas. She states in the message that her babies are well, but she finds that she has her “hands full” with them. Some things never change. This postcard was published by NPG as part of a series (no.762/5). The card is dated Christmas Eve, 1908. SOLD

Published in: on November 11, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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XMAS DINNER : USS CEBU : NAVY : SAILORS : WORLD WAR ll : 1940’s : VINTAGE PHOTO

This vintage photograph features a group of sailors haveing Christmas dinner aboard the USS Cebu during the early to mid 1940’s. It is likely that this Navy photograph was taken during World War II. The sailors are certainly crowded together as they enjoy their holiday meal. Note the decorated Xmas tree in the background. The Cebu served as an engine repair ship. It was launched in 1943 and named after one of the islands that make up the Phiippines. While based in the Admiralty Islands, she repaired small and large ships to prepare them for the Invasion of the Philippines.  Later in the war, the Cebu was used to repair ships that were victims of Kamikaze attacks. This snapshot photograph measures 5″ x 4″. (SOLD)

Published in: on November 1, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF THREE VERY ADORABLE LITTLE GIRLS : PIGTAILS, BOWS AND LACE : 1915

This vintage real postcard features three very adorable little girls. They are wearing bows, lace, and pigtails. The children’s names are Jeanne, Marguerite, and Lucy Fontague. They are wearing identical dresses. The photo portrait was taken by E. Malavas. The photograph was shot sometime around Christmas, 1915. This vintage postcard is in very good condition.

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3006

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$27.49

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) #3006

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$35.99

Published in: on February 18, 2020 at 4:48 pm  Leave a Comment  
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