Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: reindeer

Looks like good ol' Santa Claus and his reindeer are up on the housetop with lots of toys for all the girls and boys! This is a Victorian-era sample of an advertising trade card. "Christmas Card—Card No. 3. 3 colors."

For another colorful label from this New Zealand company, see Real German Sausages, Irvine & Stevenson, St. George Preserving Works, Dunedin, New Zealand . Ye Olde English Plum Pudding Prepared by Irvine & Stevenson's St. George Coy. Ltd., New Zealand. Back and syde go bare, go bare, Both foot and hand go cold But belly have jolly good duff enough Whether it be hot or cold. This tin is the safest in the world, all soldering being on the outside instead of inside. To open the tin cut along this line.

Santa's wild eyes reveal his determination to complete his Christmas deliveries as the sun rises behind him and his reindeer gallop across the sky, their hooves kicking up some serious dust clouds (or maybe they're just regular atmospheric clouds at that height). "Flora" used only her first name to sign this postcard on the front (at the very bottom) and on the back. The card was postmarked Batavia, N.Y., Dec. 18, 1908, and Flora addressed it to Mrs. Elmira Smith, Gainesville, N.Y., which is located about 30 miles from Batavia. She wrote a straightforward three-word message: "All are well."

"Holiday Greetings of E. R. Barry, the Hanover St. Confectioner. Bufford." Although this advertising trade card likely dates to the 1880s or 1890s, E. R. Barry continued in business into the twentieth century, as evidenced by the text of an advertisement in The Manchester [New Hampshire] Directory, 1908 (Boston: Sampson and Murdock, 1907): "E. R. Barry Co., confectioners, caterers, and bakers, ice cream, etc. Dinner served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 35 cents. Odd Fellows' Block, 81 and 89 Hanover Street, Manchester, N.H." See below for some other Victorian trade cards that feature Santa Claus:

"Christmas Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year. The Disques."

The sign in the photo says, "3194 Miles to Santaland."

"Say, mister, it's no use you going down that dirty chimney: jes give me the presents and I'll take them down and save you the time." Sent to Mrs. Ella Haglette, Allensville, Mifflin County, Pa., in 1908. See also Wait a Moment Till I See If You've Got All the Things I Ordered (below).

"G. A. Schwarz, Toy Bazaar, 1006 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Mayer, Merkel & Ottmann, Lith., N.Y."

"Lebanon Daily News-Times and I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Your newspaper boy, Harold E. Bressler."