Department Store Santa Portraits Photograph Collection, 1944-1955

Overview of the Collection

Title
Department Store Santa Portraits Photograph Collection
Dates
1944-1955 (inclusive)
Quantity
9 photographic prints (1 folder)
Collection Number
PH0658
Summary
Photographs of children posed with Northwest department store Santa Clauses.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public.

Request at UW

Languages
English

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

The latter half of the 19th century in the Pacific Northwest saw the founding of several major department store chains: Meier and Frank in Portland, Oregon, and the Bon Marché, Rhodes Department Store, and Frederick and Nelson in Seattle, Washington. By the mid-20th century, an annual portrait with Santa had become tradition for many families. The prints were packaged in paper cards or frames printed with the name and slogan of the store. Frequently, the year and a cheery holiday message were added, making the photos suitable as gifts.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection of portraits displays children in various emotional states sitting on Santa Claus’s lap. Seven of the photos are in their original card frames. All of the matted photos were taken in large department stores in the Pacific Northwest.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Source: Michael Fairley, 2002.

Processing Note

Processed by Diane Constantine, 2004.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Children--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
  • Department store Santas--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • Frederick & Nelson

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)