{"product_id":"1881-harper-s-weekly-thomas-nast-merry-old-santa-claus-iconic-vintage-santa-original-newspaper-vg-condition","title":"1881 Harper’s Weekly – Thomas Nast “Merry Old Santa Claus” Iconic Vintage Santa • Original Newspaper • VG+ Condition","description":"🎄 A truly special piece of Christmas history! 🎄\nThis is an original 1881 issue of Harper’s Weekly—not a reprint—featuring one of the most famous and influential portrayals of Santa Claus ever printed.\n\nThe legendary American illustrator Thomas Nast (the same artist who created the Republican elephant and popularized our modern image of Santa!) gives us two remarkable Christmas scenes in this issue:\n\nFront Cover: “The Dear Little Boy That Thought Christmas Came Oftener.”\nA charming winter street scene signed Th. Nast in the plate.\n\nCenterfold (Double Page): “Merry Old Santa Claus” 🎅\nThis is the Santa — fur-trimmed coat, big belly, twinkle in the eye, and long-stem pipe.\nThis image helped shape the Santa we still know today. It is one of the most collected and displayed holiday engravings ever published in America.\n\n\n✨ Condition: VG+\nClean pages, complete, original and untrimmed, with only gentle age toning appropriate for its 140+ years. No major tears or damage. Very suitable for framing and display.\n\n\n---\n\nArchival Framing Available 🖼️\n\nWant it ready to hang on the wall for the holidays?\n\nI offer professional archival framing for either the cover or the centerfold, including:\n\nAcid-free matting\n\nUV-protected acrylic (prevents yellowing \u0026amp; fading!)\n\nClassic gallery-style black metal frame\n\n\nSimply add the Framing Upgrade from my shop and tell me which page you'd like framed. Double-page images will have additional cost. Message me for details. \nThese look incredible as holiday décor and make one-of-a-kind gifts.\n\n\n---\n\nDetails\n\nHarper’s Weekly: Journal of Civilization\n\nVol. XXV, No. 1293\n\nJanuary 1, 1881\n\nPrinted in New York\n\nApprox. page size: ~16\" x 11\"\n\nCenterfold ~22\" x 16\" when opened fully\n\nComplete, original issue — not a reproduction\n\n\n\n---\n\nWhy This Print Matters\n\nThomas Nast is the most important Santa Claus artist in American history.\nHis holiday illustrations in Harper’s Weekly directly shaped our cultural image of Santa.\n\nOwning this issue is like owning a piece of the origin story of Christmas in America.\n\n\n---\n\nA Wonderful Gift For 🎁\n\nVintage Christmas decorators\n\nSanta Claus collectors\n\nLovers of Victorian Americana\n\nNew home holiday gifts\n\nAntique print collectors\n\n\n\n---\n\nShipping\n\nWill ship flat, protected in archival materials and rigid packaging for safe delivery.","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52264021065948,"sku":null,"price":900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0849\/4759\/9580\/files\/cd40a72e-il_fullxfull.7393399941_bj20.jpg?v=1786496710","url":"https:\/\/thekeenantiquarian.com\/products\/1881-harper-s-weekly-thomas-nast-merry-old-santa-claus-iconic-vintage-santa-original-newspaper-vg-condition","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}