1881 Harper’s Weekly – Thomas Nast “Merry Old Santa Claus” Iconic Vintage Santa • Original Newspaper • VG+ Condition

🎄 A truly special piece of Christmas history! 🎄
This 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.

The 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:

Front Cover: “The Dear Little Boy That Thought Christmas Came Oftener.”
A charming winter street scene signed Th. Nast in the plate.

Centerfold (Double Page): “Merry Old Santa Claus” 🎅
This is the Santa — fur-trimmed coat, big belly, twinkle in the eye, and long-stem pipe.
This image helped shape the Santa we still know today. It is one of the most collected and displayed holiday engravings ever published in America.


✨ Condition: VG+
Clean 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.


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Archival Framing Available 🖼️

Want it ready to hang on the wall for the holidays?

I offer professional archival framing for either the cover or the centerfold, including:

Acid-free matting

UV-protected acrylic (prevents yellowing & fading!)

Classic gallery-style black metal frame


Simply 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.
These look incredible as holiday décor and make one-of-a-kind gifts.


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Details

Harper’s Weekly: Journal of Civilization

Vol. XXV, No. 1293

January 1, 1881

Printed in New York

Approx. page size: ~16" x 11"

Centerfold ~22" x 16" when opened fully

Complete, original issue — not a reproduction



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Why This Print Matters

Thomas Nast is the most important Santa Claus artist in American history.
His holiday illustrations in Harper’s Weekly directly shaped our cultural image of Santa.

Owning this issue is like owning a piece of the origin story of Christmas in America.


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A Wonderful Gift For 🎁

Vintage Christmas decorators

Santa Claus collectors

Lovers of Victorian Americana

New home holiday gifts

Antique print collectors



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Shipping

Will ship flat, protected in archival materials and rigid packaging for safe delivery.