Santa Claus poses for this studio photograph by McCormick & Heald of Boston, Massachusetts. The studio was located on the appropriately named, Winter Street (#22). Santa has long whiskers, long hair and a lengthy beard. He is in the midst of a disorganized collection of toys. It appears as if Santa’s sled came in for a rough landing and spilled out much of its contents. Cabinet Card photographs of Santa are quite unusual. Information printed on the reverse of this photograph reveals that the image was produced for Christmas, 1880. To view other photographs by McCormick, click on the category “Photographer: McCormick”. SOLD
This charming and visually rich antique Christmas gel postcard, dates to 1907, and postally used during the Golden Age of postcards. The front features a beautifully illustrated holiday scene titled “A Merry Christmas.” Santa Claus, depicted in a classic early 1900s style with a red robe and flowing white beard, floats in on a cloud to present gifts to a young child reaching up in delight. A decorated Christmas tree filled with toys and ornaments dominates the left side of the composition, while architectural elements and glowing light effects add warmth and motion to the scene. The image is softly luminous, with rich color saturation characteristic of early high-quality printing. Gel postcards (also known as a gelatine postcard) are printed on a gelatin-coated paper stock that produces a smooth surface and deep, vibrant colors. Gel postcards were especially popular between approximately 1902 and 1912 and were often used for holiday imagery because of their refined appearance and visual depth. The reverse shows a divided back and is postmarked, with a 1¢ Benjamin Franklin stamp affixed. The card was mailed to York, Pennsylvania, and includes a handwritten Christmas greeting reading, in part: “Well Helen I guess you are ready for Christmas. From your friend, Rosa E. Ailes”. Although unsigned, it is known that P. Sander is the artist that created the art on this postcard. He was a prolific postcard artist during the “Golden Age” (around 1905-1915) known for signing his vintage, often embossed, real photo or artistic cards featuring holiday and travel scenes. (SOLD)
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 vintage postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $14.00 or Best Offer.
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)
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