University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
PH0658
Department Store
Santa Portraits Photograph Collection
1944-1955
9 photographic prints (1 folder)
Collection materials are in
English.
Photographs of
children posed with Northwest department store Santa Clauses.
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.
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.
Collection is open to the public.
Request at UW
Source: Michael Fairley, 2002.
Processed by Diane Constantine, 2004.
Frederick & Nelson
Department store Santas--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
Children--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Photographs
Seattle
Washington (State)
Portland
Spokane
Home and Family
Children and Youth
City and Town Life
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