Historic Newspapers: Holiday Themed - Christmas-Thanksgiving-New Years

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 5, 1878  The full ftpg. is taken up with: "The New Comer--A Sketch in the Depot of an Importer of Animals", by famed artist F.S. Church.
There are two very nice Thomas Nast Christmas prints, one being a great doublepage centerfold captioned: "Here We Are Again" showing a full-figure Santa Claus, with toys, next to a fireplace. "Father Time" is there as well (see). The other Nast Christmas print is: "A Christmas Sketch--Five O'Clock in the Morning" showing…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 3, 1863  The full front front page is an illustration of "Santa Claus in Camp", this being the very first representation of Santa Claus by Thomas Nast in this publication. Inside the doublepage centerfold has two large illustrations of "Christmas Eve, 1862.", by Thomas Nast.
A full page illustration has two 1/2 pg. prints of: "The Attack on the Rebel Works at Fredericksburg by the Centre Grand Division of the Army of the Potomac, on December 13, 1862" and…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 6, 1877  The full front page is a montage of prints captioned: "The New Year". Prints within include a Thomas Nast political cartoon: "No--No More Chestnuts For Me."; full pg: "An American Farm Yard--A Frosty Morning" & a fullpg: "The Children's Corner at the Centennial--Exhibition of Dolls and Toys"; another full pg. Thomas Nast cartoon: "History Repeats Itself"; a full page done by famed artist A. B. Frost with 6 vignettes of: "Fall Sporting" showing…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 1, 1876  The full ftpg. shows a mother with two young children in a snowstorm: "Light In The Window". An inside page has a 3/4 pg. print: "The Christmas Chariot--The Coming of the Plum-Pudding" being pulled by two turkeys. Also a fullpg. print: "No Small Breed Fer Yer Uncle Abe Dis Christmas!..." showing a Black family with a large turkey.
But one of the nicest prints in this issue is the very large doublepage centerfold by Thomas Nast (considered the creator…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 30, 1865  This issue features a great doublepage centerfold done by famed artist Thomas Nast, titled: "Merry Christmas To All", showing 8 vignettes of a Christmas theme with the central focus being a great portrait of Santa Claus with a pipe in hand.
This is one of the better and more famous Nast Santa Claus prints and is very displayable.
The full front page is a print captioned: "The Holy Family" plus inside has a full page print: "Christmas Presents"…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 3, 1880  The entire ftpg. is a Thomas Nast print captioned: "A Merry Christmas" showing Santa Claus dancing with Mother Goose (see). The doublepage centerfold is a very nice Thomas Nast Christmas print captioned: "Another Stocking to Fill" showing Santa Claus leaning over a sleeping baby (see). A full page shows: "Bringing Home Christmas Presents".
Other prints include: "Edison's Electric Light--The Generator" "Edison's Home, Menlo Park, New Jersey" "A Guano…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 3, 1880  The entire ftpg. is a Thomas Nast print captioned: "A Merry Christmas" showing Santa Claus dancing with Mother Goose (see). The doublepage centerfold is a very nice Thomas Nast Christmas print captioned: "Another Stocking to Fill" showing Santa Claus leaning over a sleeping baby (see). A full page shows: "Bringing Home Christmas Presents".
Other prints include: "Edison's Electric Light--The Generator" "Edison's Home, Menlo Park, New Jersey" "A Guano…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York,  Dec. 29, 1866  The front page has a lengthy poem with a related print titled: "The Setter's Christmas Eve". Inside contains a full page: "Hauling Home the Christmas Boughs"; halfpg: "Scene of the Holy Nativity, Bethlehem" & "The Wise Men Following the Star in the East". Also: a halfpg: "John Surratt" & Wreck of the Steamship 'Scotland' Bound for Liverpool, off Sandy Hook".
But the prime feature is the great Thomas Nast doublepage centerfold: "Santa Claus & His…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Dec. 30, 1876  The full front page shows: "Christmas-Eve In A Light House". Inside has a fullpg: "Christmas Eve--Getting Ready For Santa Claus" "Christmas In A Fishing Smack" and a few others. But the prime Christmas print has to be the very nice full page Thomas Nast print: " 'Twas The Night Before Christmas" showing a child hanging a Christmas stocking at the fireplace, with a cameo print of Santa Claus in the fireplace screen. Nast is noted for creating the…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 26, 1863  The feature of this issue is the very displayable doublepage centerfold titled: "Christmas, 1863" which includes 6 vignettes by Thomas Nast, one showing Santa Claus with his bag over his back looking over two sleeping children. This is a very displayable print which measures about 16 by 21 inches.
The front page has two prints: "Hon. Schuyler Colfax, The New Speaker of the House" and "Capture of the Steamer 'Chesapeake' by British Pirates". Inside…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 24, 1881  The full front page is a great Santa Claus print by the famed artist Thomas Nast: "Caught!" showing Santa with a child's arms around him.
Thomas Nast is credited with creating the modern version of Santa Claus. The doublepage centerfold is also a nice Thomas Nast Christmas print captioned: "Christmas Fancies - 'Don't You Wish You Wore Stockings?'" 
Other prints within include: "Electric Railway at Berlin, Prussia" "The Ring Theatre, Vienna,…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 1, 1881  The full front page is a Thomas Nast illustration: "The Dear Little Boy That Thought Christmas Came Oftener." Inside is a full pg. illus. of "A 'Possum Hunt in Old Virginia."
But certainly the most notable print is the terrific doublepage centerfold by Thomas Nast: "MERRY OLD SANTA CLAUS.", a classic image & perhaps one of the most reproduced of all Santa Claus prints used today in a wealth of advertisements and Christmas-themed promotions, etc.
…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 25, 1886  Thomas Nast is credited with creating the modern version of Santa Claus, as well as being a well-known political cartoonist. The entire front page is a print by Nast captioned: " 'Twas The Night Before Christmas..." which includes a partial scene of Santa Claus in a framed picture.
Other prints in this issue include a full page on: "The Thought Reader of Angels" by Bret Harte; a fullpage: "Christmas Eve--The Cousins" showing a woman on a snowy…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 20, 1884  Certainly the prime feature of this issue is the great two page spread with two prints by noted artist Thomas Nast. One is captioned: "Hello! Santa Claus!" showing a girl on the telephone, and the other is: "Hello! Little One!" showing Santa Claus on the phone as well. This is the classic portly, jolly image of Santa (Nast is credited with creating the modern version of Santa Claus) with a pipe in his hand, a rosy nose, and in a fur-trimmed suit…

HARPER'S WEEKLY January 3, 1874  The entire front page features a terrific & very desirable Thomas Nast illustration: "Christmas Eve - Santa Claus Waiting for the Children to Get to Sleep."  which is very displayable (see photo). Nast Santa Claus prints are very desirable as he is credited with creating the modern "jolly" version of Santa.
Inside is found a wealth of other Christmas-related prints including a two-thirds pg. illus. of "Christmas Day - Far From Home.";  two-thirds pg. illus. of…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 2, 1869  The full front page is a nice print: "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" showing a full-figure Santa Claus carrying a Christmas tree. Inside is a full page Winslow Homer print: "Christmas Belles" showing a family in a sleigh.
Another full page has: 'Home for the Holidays" and other prints include: "The Christmas Tree" "A Curious Custom Observed by the Greek Church in Russia". "Alaska Relics" "Lynch Law In Indiana - The Vigilance Committee at…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Dec. 30, 1876  

* Santa Claus - Christmas
* Thomas Nast illustration

The full front page shows: "Christmas-Eve In A Light House". Inside has a fullpg: "Christmas Eve--Getting Ready For Santa Claus" "Christmas In A Fishing Smack" and a few others.
But the prime Christmas print has to be the very nice full page Thomas Nast print: " 'Twas The Night Before Christmas" showing a child hanging a Christmas stocking at the fireplace, with a cameo print of Santa Claus…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Dec. 26, 1885  The full front page is a famous Thomas Nast Christmas print: "Peace and Good Will Ringing In The Air -- Ding! Dong!!" showing two Santa Claus prints.
Other prints within include: "The Meet Of a Canadian Show-Shoe Club" and a great doublepage centerfold by Thomas Nast: "A Christmas Box" showing Santa Claus coming up from it.
Others include: "The Pride of the Christmas Feast" "New Station of the Hudson River Railroad..." "The Late Robert Toombs" "The…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 1, 1876 

* Santa Claus - Christmas
* Thomas Nast print

Although there are several Christmas-themed print,  perhaps the best  is the  large doublepage centerfold by Thomas Nast (considered the creator of the modern version of Santa Claus) captioned: "The Watch On Christmas Eve" showing two children sitting in anticipation, by a fireplace.
And equally as nice, and also by Thomas Nast, is the three-quarter page in the "Supplement" captioned: "Seeing Santa…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 30, 1871  

* Thomas Nast Santa Claus wood block engraving

The full front page is the famous Thomas Nast illustration of: "Santa Claus's Mail." which is very displayable.
Inside is a full pg. illus. of "Christmas in Virginia - A Present from the Great House." Full pg. illus. of "A Roman Catholic Mission from England to the 'Heathens' of America." Doublepage centerfold of "Witchcraft in 1871." Two 1/2 pg. illus. of "Chain Gang in the Cathedral Plaza, Havana" and…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 1, 1881 

* Best of all Thomas Nast illustrations - prints
* Christmas - Santa Claus - Kris Kringle - Saint Nick

The full front page is a Thomas Nast illustration: "The Dear Little Boy That Thought Christmas Came Oftener." This print is somewhat compromised by the browning and mild margin wear, including the darker strip at the left side.
But certainly the most notable print is the terrific doublepage centerfold by Thomas Nast: "MERRY OLD SANTA…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 4, 1873  Certainly the most notable print is the great doublepage centerfold by Thomas Nast captioned: "The Same Old Christmas Story Over Again"  showing two kids sleeping amongst their dreams. Santa Claus with his bag of toys is here as well.
The front page shows: "Christmas Dinner Gone!" with two Black men chasing a rabbit. Inside has a full page Thomas Nast political cartoon: "The Finger of Scorn" and a half page: "Old Swedish Church in Philadelphia" as…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 30, 1871  The full front page is the famous Thomas Nast illustration of: "Santa Claus's Mail." which is very displayable.
Inside is a full pg. illus. of "Christmas in Virginia - A Present from the Great House." Full pg. illus. of "A Roman Catholic Mission from England to the 'Heathens' of America." Doublepage centerfold of "Witchcraft in 1871." Two 1/2 pg. illus. of "Chain Gang in the Cathedral Plaza, Havana" and "Innocence and Guilt." 1/2 pg. portrait of…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 2, 1886  Full ftpg. Nast cartoon: "What You With Us Is One Thing; What You Will Give Us Is Another". Fullpg: "The Nanticoke Mining Disaster" shows 5 scenes.
Doublepage centerfold: "Gathering Christmas Laurel". Fullpg: "Issuing Christmas Dinners to the Veterans in Brooklyn" plus much more.
Other news and advertisements of the day are included. Complete in 16 pages.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 4, 1879  The full front page is a nice Christmas-themed print by Thomas Nast, captioned: "Christmas Post" showing a boy mailing a letter to Santa Claus. The other great print is the doublepage centerfold, also by Thomas Nast, captioned: "Merry Christmas" which shows five young children hanging on a jolly Santa Claus. Thomas Nast is credited with creating the modern version of Santa as we know him today.
Other prints within include a fullpg: "The Blackville…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 4, 1873 

* Caricaturist Thomas Nast
* Christmas - Santa Claus

Certainly the most notable print is the great tipped-in (no binding holes) doublepage centerfold by Thomas Nast captioned: "The Same Old Christmas Story Over Again" showing two kids sleeping amongst their dreams. Santa Claus with his bag of toys is here as well.
The front page shows: "Christmas Dinner Gone!" with two Black men chasing a rabbit. Inside has a full page Thomas Nast political…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 18, 1897  The full front page is a nice print: "Santa Claus's Return Home." by the famed artist W. A. Rogers, showing a full-figure Santa Claus with various elves.
Inside is a full pg. illus. of "A Christmas Hymn."; a full pg:"Christmas Carnival on the Ice, Amsterdam."; a full page color print: "I've Kept My Ears Open to all Your Doings." plus other Christmas-themed prints.
Note:  The Supplement, when available, includes a duo-tone doublepage centerfold:…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Dec. 28, 1867  The front page shows: 'The Wise Men Guided by the Star in the East'. Very nice half page print: "Santa Claus" shows him with a bag full of toys sneaking by two sleeping children. Another half page: "An Early Christmas Call" shows children, with toys, waking up mom & dad. A full page: "Christmas Toys--A Quiet Hint to Uncle John" & fullpg: "Christmas Morning--Awaking" shows children looking at a decorated Christmas tree.
Complete in sixteen pages.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 15, 1894  The full front pg. is an illus. of: "The Holy Family." Inside has a full pg. illus: "How Santa Claus Comes in Canada." which is by the famed artist Frederic Remington. Also a full pg. illus. of "Two's Company." (ice skaters), and another fullpg: "In Old Virginia - 'De Christmas Dinner Am Safe Fo' Sho''.
Complete in 28 pages.

HARPER'S WEEKLY January 3, 1874 

* Thomas Nast
* Santa Claus
* Christmas

The entire front page features a terrific & very desirable Thomas Nast illustration: "Christmas Eve - Santa Claus Waiting for the Children to Get to Sleep."  This is one of Nast's more iconic Santa images, often reproduced for advertising, promotions, etc. in recent years.
Thomas Nast is credited with creating the modern "jolly" version of Santa.
Inside is found a wealth of other Christmas-related prints…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 31, 1870  The front page features a great full page: "A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!" which shows an older version of Santa Claus.
Within the issue are half page illustrations: "Selling Fish at Auction in Paris" and "The Entente Cordiale - The Prussian Bugbear in the park of Versailles". Full page illustrations: "A Friend in Need" and "A Reverie". The article "The Paris Food Markets" includes two large illustrations.
This listing does not include…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Dec. 26, 1874  The full front page is a print: "Faith--Waiting for Santa Claus" showing a young girl waiting at the door of a toy store.
Inside has a nice full page: "Santa Claus is Coming!" showing Santa on his sleigh being pulled by 4 reindeer.
The great doublepage centerfold is: A Dream of a Christmas Dinner in Five Parts". Also inside is a poem with illus: "The Christmas Baby".
Other prints include: "The Late Hon. Era Cornell" and "King Kalakaua" and "The…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 22, 1894  The full front page is an illus. captioned: "Christmas in Politics--A Few Things the People Wouldn't Have." which shows Santa Claus shaking various political figures out of his bag (see).
Inside are two full pgs. of illus. of "Damascus and the Syrian Pilgrimage" and "Glimpses of the Japanese Soldier."
Two 1/2 pg. illus. of "Contrasting Methods of Salvation Army Warfare." Full pg. illus. of "Scenes from De Koven and Smith's New Comic Opera at the…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 15, 1888  The very nice doublepage centerfold is captioned: "Santa Claus Captured" showing him on a rooftop surrounded by children. The entire front page is a nice print: "A Light In Darkness on a Wintry Christmas Eve" showing people going to church on a snowy evening. Other prints within include: "Women Voting at the Municipal Election in Boston on December 11" "The Late Rear Admiral Simpson" "Isaiah V. Williamson of Philadelphia, Millionaire &…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 14, 1901, from New York. The issue contains a fullpage illustration "The Awaking of Santa Claus" by Keller; full page "Making Up For The Part" by Rogers; full page "St. Nicholas in Russia" by Verbeck; full page colored illustration "After the Upset" by Frost; several full page and a doublepage centerfold colored illustrations by various artists, and a print by Rogers:  " I hear there are some kids in the White House this year."   See photos for more details.…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 19, 1885  Certainly the prime feature of this issuie is the great Thomas Nast doublepage centerfold print: 'Santa Claus's Route' showing two children marking out his route from the North Pole. Very displayable.
The front page features a full page print: "Hon. John Sherman, President pro tempore of the United States Senate".  Other prints within include a one-third page: "An Inoculation for Hydrophobia" which relates to the article on: "Pasteur's Latest…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 25, 1858  The front page features a print: "Santa Claus Paying His Usual Christmas Visit to His Young Friends" shows him in a sleigh pulled by a turkey, with many toys. This is an early image of Santa Claus before the more common imagine created by Thomas Nast changed his appearance forever.
Inside pages have four prints by famed artist Winslow Homer: "The Christmas Tree" plus 3 more half page Christmas-themed prints captioned: "Christmas - Gathering…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Dec. 19, 1885  

* Thomas Nast
* Christmas - X-Mas
* re. Santa Claus

Certainly the prime feature of this issue is the great Thomas Nast double page print: 'Santa Claus's Route' showing two children marking out his route from the North Pole. Very displayable.
Other prints as well, several shown in the photos.
The complete issue, never bound nor trimmed, very nice condition.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 2, 1864  Part of front page is a cross section: 'Diagram of Monitor 'Weehawken' Sunk in Charleston Harbor'. Also on the ftpg. are prints of: "Frederick VII, Late King of Denmark" and "Christian IX, Present King of Denmark".
Inside has full page prints captioned: "The Army of the Cumberland--General Baird's Division Capturing the Rebel Guns on the Left of Missionary Ridge" and also: "Different Systems of Sailing In The Air" shows some interesting (and…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 9, 1869  The front page features a full page illustration by Thomas Nast: "Peace" showing Grant and Miss Liberty.
Inside has a full page illustration by Winslow Homer" "The New Year - 1869". The doublepage centerfold is" "West Point and Vicinity, from Fort Putnam" which is a nice overview. One
page features two illustrations: "Booth's New Theatre, Twenty-Third Street and Sixth Avenue, New York" and "The Army Reunion at Chicago - Banquet in the Hall of the…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 6, 1902  Frontpage color illustration "Here We Are Again" by Rogers; "The Belated Russian Passport" by Mark Twain; color fullpage "The Christmas Mail In The Far North" by Post; color fullpage "The Toy-Shop Window" by McLane; color fullpage "Christmas-Eve" by Green; fullpage "A Contrast"; fullpage "A Christmas on a Man-of-War" by Roth; fullpage "Christmas in the Arizona Desert" by Dixon; fullpage "Jack Frost's Harvest" by Hoyt; poem "The Birthday of the…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, Dec. 3, 1864  The front page has: 'The Rebel Flag of Truce Boat 'Beauregard' with Savannah in the Distance" & "The Rebel Flag of Truce Boats Coming down the Savannah River". Nice fullpg. prints include 2 scenes of: "Our Blockading Fleet Off Wilmington, N.C." and three views of: "In & Around Martinsburg, Virginia". A nearly halfpg: "Capture of the Blockade Runner 'Annie' " and a one-quarter pg: "Great Tunnel Under Pittsburg, Penna." Also a print of: "The Late Mr. John Leech".
…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 8, 1876  The front full page Thomas Nast illustration of "Calling On Miss Columbia - New Year's Day, 1876." Inside is a full page illustration of "The Centennial Banquet in Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia, December 18, 1875." Full page Nast illustration of "In My Mind's Eye." Full page illustration of "Saved From the Sea." 2/3 page illustration of "Caught Reading a Proscribed Book." 2/3 page illustration of "The Keeper's Dream in the Tower of London." 2/3…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 8, 1900  The color cover has a very displayable print showing the Wise Men on camels and noting this is the: "Christmas Number 1900". 
Inside has some Christmas-themed prints including: "The Santa Claus of the Sea" "The Christmas Possum" which is by A.B. Frost; "Making Toys for the Christmas Trade" which is a series of  6 photos; "This Chimney Well Filled Means A Merry Christmas To All!"
The "Christmas Supplement" is included as well and contains 7 full…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 24, 1859 The frontpage features a story "Hester Pratt's New-Year's Day" and has a nearly half-page illustration "The Blind Girl at Hester Pratt's Table". A two-thirds page "The Proposed New Parliament Buildings at Ottawa City, Canada" also has an accompanying article. A very decorative doublepage centerfold is by Winslow Homer: "A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year" includes four vignettes.
Complete in 16 pages, in good condition, and contains additional…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 6, 1872  The full front page is a print: "New Year's Day -The First Caller" showing a homeless girl. Inside has a nearly full page: "The Christmas Waits" and another: "Punch and Judy in the Drawing Room" as well as a full page Thomas Nast political cartoon: "Can The Law Reach Him? The Dwarf And the Giant Thief" which is focused on Boss Tweed.
Also a full page: "The Dawning of the New Year" by Jules Taverner; a nearly full page: "The March Past. Other prints…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 25, 1875  Front full pg. illus. of" "Selling Christmas Greens - A Scene in Richmond, Virginia." Inside is a full pg. Thomas Nast illus: "J. G. B. Jun., In His Property Room." Two one-quarter pg. portraits of: "The Hon. Michael C. Kerr" and "The Rev. Dr. W.E. M'Laren."; one-third pg. portrait of: "J. Ross Browne."
Doublepage centerfold. by Nast of: "Good-By." two-thirds pg. illus: "Christmas in New England - Colonial Times." Full pg. illus: "The Old…

DEMOCRATIC WATCHMAN, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1886

* 19th century Christmas Eve original
* Rare title

Page 2 has several items appropriate for Christmas-eve: "An Editor's Christmas" "Xmas And the Children" "Miss Polly's Christmas "Phil's New Year Present" and "New Thought for the New Year". Plus there is also a poem: "For Santa Claus", and the front page has a poem: "The Complaint of Santa Claus".

Complete in eight pages, and in very nice condition.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 8, 1881  Full front page Thomas Nast illustration of "Ring Out the Old (John Bull), Ring in the New." 2/3 page illustration of "Prosperity." 2/3 page illustration of "Adversity." Full page illustration of "New Year's Day Seventy Years Ago - The Last Evening Caller."
Full page illustration of "New Year's." Half-page illustration of "Rock Cut Temple At Ipsambul, Nubia." Half-page illustration of "The Stalactite Cavern at Adelsberg, Austria." Quarter-page…