David Claudon's

Santa Claus Collection

One of my favorite miniature Santas is pictured above with a card utilizing an English advertisement for Tom Smith's Christmas Crackers. According to the 1988 card by Woodmansterne of England, "Tom Smith called his first Christmas crackers 'Bangs of Expectation'. He made them to celebrate almost any occasion - the invention of the telephone, the return of the Antartic explorers, even to poke fun at Darwin's Theory of Evolution." The 6-inch Santa was made by miniaturist doll maker Virginia Hartzell (Hartzell Originals). He holds a petit-point Santa head ornament by Alice Adelman.

The Santas from right to left are collected Santas from various periods. The first , probably the oldest, is a celluloid Santa with real fur and a bell attached. In the center is 50's Santa with flocked suit and fur beard, a small celluloid candy container with hole in his hat for hanging. Finally a modern Pez container with Santa head.

My wife often gave me Santas for Christmas. At right is one she made using a porcelain head by miniaturist Laurel Coulon. The feather tree, fence and houses were from Georgia Matuchak. Beside it is a 1/4-inch scale poinsetta plant.

Billy stands about 14 inches high. Here he wears a traditional red Belsnickle suit with real fur. His beard is of sheeps wool.

This page created by C. David Claudon. Last update, 11/11/02..