An old fashioned Santa Claus/Father Christmas. . .

An interesting Victorian (or Edwardian?) example of Father Christmas/Santa Claus in blue robes with brown fur trim.

While I don't collect vintage Christmas cards myself, I am fascinated by those that portray the Big Man in garb that we just don't see anymore. Now, of course, Santa Claus and Father Christmas seem to be dressed universally in red with white fur trim, but it wasn't always so. The time was, when he wore green, purple, and blue robes, among other colors, and sometimes looked more like a bishop with a sceptre and mitre cap, which makes sense given that our modern Santa Claus has his origins, at least in part, in the historic and religious figure of Saint Nicholas. That lengthy, convoluted sentence is really just a round about way of presenting today's seasonal image, something that has become a tradition every December here on the Grand Duchy of Stollen blog as the Advent season begins and Christmas approaches. Enjoy!

Comments

Bluebear Jeff said…

Ah, yes. Thank you, sir.

-- Jeff

11:57 AM

Ken said…

Coca-Cola was instrumental in establishing the red-clad version of Santa Claus.

4:46 PM

Here's an RSM Painting Update

Here's a picture illustrating my (S-L-O-W) progress with the second company of Stollen's Leib (Grand Duchess Sonja's Own) Grenadiers. You can see I'm doing things a bit differently this time, altering the painting process to keep it interesting basically. This evening, I'll do the white gaiters and, if that goes reasonably quickly, and time allows, the red breeches. Still lots to do, but I like the way these fine fellows are shaping up along side the completed 1st company that's standing in formation just off camera, to the left here. Until tonight then!

Presenting the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere!!!

Here they are, with the rearmost nine figures still drying, three squadrons of the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere, now in the service of the Grand Duchy of Stollen. And now, it's onto that artillery!

Having a "No Day". . .

F or the almost 20 years that she lived in Mexico, one of my late mother's Irish friends frequently mentioned having a "No Day." A day with no social obligations, chores, tasks, or other work that interfered with whatever personal interests took one's fancy on the day in question. Since today -- a gray and chilly Saturday -- is Mom's birthday, the Grand Duchess is out with friends, and the Young Master is ensconced on the sofa in the TV room with a cold, yours truly is taking his own such No Day. I think Mom would approve of my decision to make the world go away, as the old Eddie Arnold song intoned, even if only for a little while. So, I will spend Saturday afternoon focused on that first squadron and small regimental staff of Eureka Saxon cuirassiers. These have stood waiting untouched over on the painting table for almost three weeks while we skied and otherwise gadded about with snowy, winter outdoor activities. I hope to share a painting update Sunday...

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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