Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Department Store Santa Portraits Photograph Collection, 1944-1955
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Department Store Santa Portraits Photograph Collection
- Dates
- 1944-1955 (inclusive)19441955
- 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.
- 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
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| item | ||
| 1 | Bob Thomas with Santa at Frederick & Nelson, Seattle, Wash. | 1944 |
| 2 | Boy in leather cap with Santa at Frederick & Nelson, Seattle, Wash. | 1949 |
| 3 | Child crying with Santa at Frederick & Nelson, Bellevue, Wash. | 1951 |
| 4 | George Miller with Santa at the Bon Marche-Palace, Spokane, Wash. | 1952 |
| 5 | Boy and girl with Santa at Rhodes Department Store, Seattle, Wash. | 1954 |
| 6 | George Miller with Santa at Meier and Frank, Portland, Or. | 1955 |
| 7 | Girl in coat with Santa | circa 1955 |
| 8 | Girl in snowpants with Santa | circa 1955 |
| 9 | Janet and Joanne Stipp with Santa at Frederick and Nelsons | circa 1950s |
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)
