Victorian Santa with Child Christmas Greeting Card
Text on Card
A MERRY CHRISTMAS
Description
A benevolent Santa Claus figure and a well-dressed child exchange an unusual greeting on this charming Victorian-era Christmas card. Santa, dressed in traditional winter attire with a fur-trimmed coat and hat adorned with evergreen branches, clutches a bundle of wheat or grain while raising one hand in a gesturing pose. The child, wearing an ornate blue jacket embellished with decorative buttons and trim, appears serious or contemplative rather than delighted, with one hand raised to their forehead in a saluting gesture. The ethereal turquoise background creates an enchanting holiday atmosphere, while delicate evergreen sprigs frame the composition, reinforcing the festive season. This chromolithographed card exemplifies the refined aesthetic and sentimental values characteristic of late 19th-century Christmas traditions, celebrating generosity, wonder, and the magic of childhood during the holidays.
Subjects
Santa Claus, child, evergreen branches, wheat bundle, winter clothing, gift-giving
Printing Notes
Hand-colored chromolithographic process with embossed details on coat buttons and jacket trim. Reference number 642 visible in lower left corner.
