Lot 50
  • 50

Thomas Nast

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 USD
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Description

  • Thomas Nast
  • Peace and Good Will Ringing in the Air
  • pen, ink, paper
signed Thomas Nast
pen-and-ink drawing
13 x 10 1/2 inches
(330 x 267 mm)
Executed circa 1885

Catalogue Note

Original pen-and-ink drawing showing two images of Santa Claus ringing Christmas bells, as published on the front cover of Harper’s Weekly, 26 December 1885. In his day, Thomas Nast (1840-1902) was best-known as a biting political cartoonist, but for us, perhaps his most important contribution was as creator of the modern image of Santa Claus. His first design of the Christmas legend appeared in Harper’s Weekly on 3 January 1863, depicting him distributing gifts to Union troops during the Civil War. Offered together with a copy of the printed issue of Harper’s Weekly, 26 December 1885 (Vol XXIX, No 1514), with our design on the front cover (as well as a double-page illustration by Nast showing children opening a crate and finding Santa Claus). Folio, pp 849-862; disbound.