Santa might live in the North Pole, but much of his identity, as construed in the U.S., was forged by writers and artists in New York in the 19th century.
We'll mention one prominent example, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there, in your mind, spurring you to think of another:
Thomas Nast, the great illustrator for Harper's Magazine, consolidated details of Santa's appearance to render the version we know today (black boots, big belt, sack on back, sleigh with reindeer).
Think of one other (hint: the three we have in mind are all literary, not graphic), and you will be eligible for a randomly-selected prize of a $10 gift certificate from Santa's helpers at Small World Music. Send your entry directly to SWM at sworldmu@twcny.rr.com.
Ho ho,
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
1 comment:
Literary - makes me think of Clement Moore, who owned land in what is now Chelsea and did not like the rowdy street Christmas as it was celebrated in his time (for which knowledge I am indebted to Bill McKibben) - is that what you meant? just guessing
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