Wanted   Do you have a passion for antiques and collectibles - and writing?   The Wayback Times invites you to submit freelance articles for use in print and on our new web site.   E-mail your text submissions to The Wayback Times.   Articles published in The Wayback Times since 1995 have covered a wide range of interests, from Golliwoggs to toy VW collecting, and from collecting insulators to hunting old books.   Most authors of our online selection of articles have included their e-mail addresses and they are always delighted to hear from other collectors.

The Antique Detective   The Antique Detective Collecting Santas is an international pastime   By Anne Gilbert You may be surprised to learn that not only is Santa Claus known by many different names but his likeness has been used on a diverse group of items. They range from the family Christmas tree ornaments and decorations to toys, illustrations and books.   If you are a serious collector of antique toys you may have to pay over $2,000 at auction for a Hubley cast iron sleigh with Santa and reindeer. Less expensive are the plastic Santa sleighs made in Japan in the 1950s. The can be found for under $100.   Santa has been around for hundreds of years. What you call him depends on what country you reside in.   \One of the earliest Santa images can be traced to 200 AD and the harbor of Myra in Turkey. Legend has it that St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra was credited with many miracles. It began when he helped saved some poor girls from being sold into slavery for lack of dowry money by dropping gold into their windows.   As Christianity spread, so did the story of St. Nicholas. In Russia, he was made a patron saint in the 9th century. He kept his bearded image.   There was even a Mongolian version of Santa in the 13th century. At the end of the year they celebrated and exchanged gifts. These days the Chinese God, Tsai Sen Yeh vistis the children at the end of the year. And, like Santa, carries a sack filled with toys, on his back. While the white beard remains he is dressed in elegant robes.   By the 14th century he was depicted with a long white beard and riding across the sky on a horse. However, he kept his religious image, dressed in the robes of a priest.   In Holland Santa was originally known as “Christkindle,” the German word for “Christchild.” Over the centuries it was translated into “Kris Kringle.”   It wasn't until the late 1840s in England, that Santa developed the look closer to our present image. He was known as “Father Christmas.”   Another influence on his appearance was the publishing of “A Visit from St.Nicholas” in 1848 by Clement Moore. In the illustrations he was pictured with his reindeer who all had names. However, it was Thomas Nast, a cartoonist for the American magazine “Harper’s Weekly” who showed Santa, for the first time, as a plump and jolly figure, carrying a bag of toys on his back.   Santa played a role in politics in the 1860s when a drawing of him appeared, dressed in Stars and Stripes, and giving Union Soldiers gifts.   Toy collectors are willing to spend big money, into the thousands of dollars, for antique Santa image toys. There is a wide diversity that includes Jack-in-the-box, Santa acrobat on a stick, pull toys and mechanical Santas.   In 1875, one of the most popular Santa toys, the “walking Santa,” was patented by Arthur Hotchkiss. The rights were sold to Ives and in 1893 it was offered in their catalog for $2.75.   These days, if you could find one the price could be $6,000 to $7,000.   Another version was made of lithographed tin in the 1930s by Julius Chien. In today’s market it could sell for around $300.   In the 1960s a Santa walker was made in Japan of tin and celluloid as a wind-up. With the popularity of Japanese-made toys it could wear a price tag of $200.   For the collector of mechanical banks there is a Santa bank. When Santa drops his arm coins go down the chimney. It is a pricey $1,000 or more.   By the end of the 19th century Santa images were sold in many forms. One of the best known Santa games was made in 1899 by McLoughlin Bros. If you could find “Visit of Santa Claus” the price could be $2,000 or more.   Still reasonably priced are the Santa decorations from Christmas tree ornaments and lights to the paper decorations that often held candy. There are dozens of different figural Santa ornaments, for the ornament collector. Not only in blown glass but in spun cotton, crepe paper and the expensive Dresden ornaments.   Photos: 1 - Advertising Santa stick pin for Kreske's (Hake's Auctions)   2 - Santa in sliegh stamped +Germany" (James Julia Auctions)   3 - Tin Roly Poly Santa by defunct Schoenhut company (James Julia Auctions)   Anne Gilbert has been self-syndicating her column "The Antique Detective" and special art and antique features since 1983. She has authored nine books on the subject. "The Antique Detective" appears in the Chicago Sun Times, Palm Beach Post, Patriot Ledger and many other newspapers. Over the years, she has appeared on network television and has also been an appraiser for major museums and private individuals.       Return to top of page   This Is Livin' Publishing © 2010 581 8th Line West, RR1 Hastings, ON, K0L 1Y0 Phone/Fax: 705-696-1833   webmaster