Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Vintage Christmas Photos Part VII: The Many Faces of Santa Claus


Santa Claus wasn't always portrayed as the jolly chap we see so often these days. Coca-Cola had a lot to do with his attitude adjustment back in the 1920s, as they modified his image in a print advertising campaign to promote their soda.

Often, prior to that, Santa was a lot scruffier and not nearly so cheerful, almost scaring children into being good - or else!

In the top photograph, circa 1903, Santa pauses on his way down a chimney and in the second, busy fellow that he is, he's traveling aboard the ship "New York", circa 1910.

1 comment:

  1. Oh, yes...much scruffier than the Santa most of us know of now! These Santas have an almost wizard look to them... a bit like Gandalf bearing gifts...LOL! :o) Happy Day, my friend ((HUGS))

    ReplyDelete