12.20.2012

A Book of Christmas

Today's Christmas book is vintage, but was not written for children, though I'm sure some kids would enjoy looking at the pictures. In A Book of Christmas, William Sansom looks at the history, customs and traditions of Christmas around the world.


Pollock's Toy Theatre, hand colored, 1834


Christmas Eve at the Wandsbecker Schloss 1796


From Hollyleaves of 1894, Interlude at the Twelfth Night Table


The Christmas Tree, from a painting by E. Osborn, 1864


Title page of Der Struwwelpeter by Heinrich Hoffman


Santa arriving by boat at Bondi Beach, Sydney


Christmas display of toys at Heal's store in London


A Polish szopka carried by children singing carols. It's placed on a bench support and used as the background for a puppet Nativity play. This particular one was based on tower motifs from Cracow.


A poster for the Christmas number of The Century showing a romaticized Father Christmas figure of the period. Designed by Louis John Rhead in 1895.

Illustration by John Leech from Charle's Dicken's A Christmas Carol

A Book of Christmas
By William Sansom
McGraw Hill Book Co., 1968

18 comments:

  1. An excellent choice, Jil.
    It's a well written fascinating book. Of all the historical Christmas books available, this has some of the most unique illustrations and photographs.
    It is also very easy to read and as you mentioned kids would enjoy looking at the pictures.
    I highly recommend this book.

    Jeff Rivera
    Author of "MOMMY I THINK I FLUSHED MY BROTHER DOWN THE TOILET"
    amzn.to/RUltKc

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  2. It is a unique book, thanks for your recommendation!

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  3. I loved this book as a child and have been looking for it for ages! Thanks for helping me find it again.

    Adriene

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  4. Hieno sivusto. Täällä on paljon hyödyllistä tietoa. Lähetän sen muutamalle kaverille ja jaan sen myös herkullisissa. Ja tietenkin, kiitos vaivannäöstäsi!

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    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete