Oddball Santas Developed in America During Nineteenth Century
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
Santa With Turkey: Harper’s Weekly, cover, December 25, 1858
One of stranger depictions of Santa Claus, a beardless man riding a sleigh pulled by a wild turkey
Santa, Carolyn Butler, Little Messenger Birds, 1850
Santa’s First Appearance in a Novel
P.T. Barham’s Santa Claus and Jenny Lind
Depiction Santa Claus as George Washington on a Broomstick
Santa Claus, Spoodyks, Santa Claus Quadrilles, 1846
A poster by Spoodlyks for a concert called the Santa Claus Quadrilles in 1846