Santa Claus, David Scattergood, cover, A Visit from St. Nicholas 1860
Illustration of one of the earliest versions of “The Night Before Christmas”
Santa Claus: F.O.C. Darley, “A Visit from St. Nicholas”, Harper’s New Monthly Magazine. Cover, December 1857
The earliest version of the gift-giver who looked like Santa Claus rather than the halfling Dutchmen who appeared between 1837 and 1848 was a drawing by artist F.O.C. Darley
Santeclaus in bedroom: Arthur Stansbury, The Children’s Friend, 1821
Children hanging their stockings at the foot of their bed in the expectation that Santeclaus would arrive during the night
Portrait of Santeclaus: Arthur Stansbury, The Children’s Friend, 1821
One of the earliest uses in print of a name that was in common use by 1821
The English Father Christmas
The English Father Christmas Old Father Christmas 1867 Old Father Christmas: Godey’s Lady’s Book, December 1867 read more Father Christmas 1847 Father Christmas by Kenny Meadows, Illustrated London News, December 25, 1847 read more Father Christmas with Yule Log 1844...The Terror Men
The frightening and unkempt but human gift-givers who traveled alone emerged in northern Europe following the Reformation because the Protestants would not include a Catholic saint in their gift-giving exercises.
Santeclaus in sleigh by Arthur Stansbury, The Children’s Friend, 1821
Arthur Stansbury created the most influential depiction of Santa that no one ever saw
Canadian Santa without beard: Canadian Illustrated News, cover, December 1885
One of the few versions of Santa that does not have a beard
Santa Claus by George Beard 1872
A well-intentioned effort by artist George Beard in 1872
Santa in tutu: Harper’s Weekly, cover, January 2, 1869
Santa Claus wearing what appears to be a long, wild beard modeled after the pagan god Odin