’Twas the Night Before Christmas

Book excerpt: A clear, concise early history of St. Nicholas and Santa Claus, in color, complete with footnotes and bibliography! PLUS the extremely rare 1821 Old Santeclaus with Much Delight poem that first introduced a Santa Claus and a flying reindeer—considered to be the first colored lithographed Christmas book in America (only two known copies of this classic!). Discover the inspiration behind the all-time favorite Christmas poem ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. Inside this remarkable keepsake, you will find: √ History of Saint Nicholas and how his legend came to America √ Transformation of St. Nicholas into our beloved Santa Claus √ Historical images of Santa and his reindeer √ First colored lithograph Christmas book in America √ First illustration of Santa and reindeer √ First Santa illustration in Harper’s magazine √ Thomas Nast Santa illustration many say made Santa who he is today √ Clement Clarke Moore’s handwritten change to reindeer name √ Two additional rare poems: A Paraphrase of the Dutch Hymn to Saint Nicholas and St. Nicholas, Good Holy Man √ Key players who invented today’s Santa including Washington Irving, John Pintard, James K. Paulding, and Clement Clarke Moore, and famous Illustrators Table of Contents: Part I: Early History of Santa and His Reindeer Early History of Santa Claus and Reindeer Introduction Saint Nicholas to America First Mention of Santa Claus Santaclaus, Presents, Stockings (Washington Irving) Santa in Art Form (John Pintard) Sancte Claus Poem Santa in Flying Wagon (Washington Irving) Earliest Visual of Santa in Sleigh with One Flying Reindeer NEW Santa and Eight Reindeer First Time Santa and Eight Reindeer in Newsprint Expanded Version of Santa (James K. Paulding) Dunder and Blixem Reindeer Names Changed First Time Santa and Reindeer Featured in Harper's Part II: Rare, 1821 Children's Friend Introduction to Part II 1821 Old Santeclaus with Much Delight The Steady Friend of Virtuous Youth Through Many Houses He Has Been Where E'er I Found Good Girls or Boys To Some I Gave a Pretty Doll No Drums to Stun Their Mother's Ear But Where I Found the Children Naughty I Left a Long, Black, Birchen Rod ’Twas the Night Series Bibliography List of Illustrations Santa and Reindeer Flying Over Treetops, circa 1872 by Thomas Nast A Visit From St. Nicholas, 1879 by Frederick B. Schell Washington Irving, 1848 by James D. Smillie from F. O. C. Darley St. Nicholas Broadside Engraving, 1810 by Alexander Anderson Santa and Reindeer, circa 1830 by Bryon King Clement Clarke Moore’s Handwritten Changes to Poem, 1844 A Visit from Saint Nicholas, 1857 by Felix Octavius Carr Darley Various Santa Poses, 1857 (artist unknown) Santa Claus, Merry Christmas, 1884 by Thomas Nast Merry Old Santa Claus, 1881 by Thomas Nast Cover of The Children’s Friend, 1823 Santa and One Reindeer, 1823 by Arthur J. Stansbury Santeclaus, 1823 by Arthur J. Stansbury Santa and Stockings, 1823 by Arthur J. Stansbury Excited Children, 1823 by Arthur J. Stansbury Mischievous Children, 1823 by Arthur J. Stansbury Family, Reading Book, 1823 by Arthur J. Stansbury Children Being Naughty, 1823 by Arthur J. Stansbury Stockings With Switches, 1823 by Arthur J. Stansbury Add this classic keepsake to your library now!