Aunt Louisa's Germs of Kindness: Santa Claus
by Webster, George P. Illustrated by Thomas Nast

Illustrator and cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840-1902) is credited with creating the image of Santa Claus as a heavy-set, happy fellow – a far cry from the frail-looking, dour image of the original Father Christmas figure. Nast’s rendition of the jolly old fellow first appeared in Harper’s Weekly in 1863. The Nast Santa image on this card is taken from Aunt Louisa’s Germs of Kindness: Comprising Home Kindness; Santa Claus; Kindness to Animals. Published in New York by McLoughlin Brothers in the 1880s, the collection contains 18 pages of colour illustrations.

This image can be found in Aunt Louisa's Germs of Kindness - Santa Claus at UBC Library's Rare Books and Special Collections (PZ6 1880Z A958).

Courtesy of Rare Books and Special Collections © UBC Library 

This image is part of the Vintage Christmas Series card set. To view this set and other gifts, visit our gift shop.   

This image is featured as 09-81 in our Custom Greeting Cards Program.