1958 Japan Holt Howard Santa Commercial Christmas Card

Description: Attention Holt Howard Christmas Santa collectors! Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to add the rarest of the rare to your Holt Howard Santa collection. In 1958, the designers at Holt-Howard created a new line of product that sharply departed from the ceramic Christmas figures they produced at the time. Based on the adorable Atomic Era Santa Clauses used in Holt-Howard advertising displays of the period, Holt-Howard designed a large format die cut card for businesses. For years these have been identified as merely a counter display for the Christmas season. However, one of the pieces in my collection changes that narrative. The hat on the Santa is embossed in gold script with the name of the Frost-Smith Company of Allegan, Michigan. The same business name is also printed as the return address on the original mailing envelope. It is my belief these displays were actually intended as large, elaborate Christmas cards from businesses to their customers. There is an easel on the back so that the card stands up, but is also designed to fold so that the feet of the Santa hang down over the edge of a mantle or ledge creating an imposing and very noticeable display among other cards. Due to downsizing, I am parting with the Santa card from my collection. Because of the fragility of age and the fact these were viewed at the time as a disposable card that was meant to be thrown away after Christmas, there are only a handful of these cardboard pieces still in existence today. One of these cards is in the collection of Holt-Howard author and guru Walter Dworkin. I am aware of only 6 other cards. Mine is the only one in existence that has the business advertising. Here are the details... This is an original, unused card around 24" tall unfolded. It has been kept flat under glass for all the years I've owned it. There are factory score lines for folding along the waist and knees. The card was factory folded at the waist to fit inside of the shipping envelope. The card has never been folded at the knees nor at the easel on the back. There are 2 very minor creases on Santa's left side that are believed to have been part of the production process of adhering the lithograph picture to the cardboard backing (the crease does not show on the back)(see photos #4 and #5). There is a minor crease of Santa's left hand (see photo #6) that does not show on the front (photo #7). There are a few production flaws with the ink smearing or dripping, especially with the black ink. These are shown in photos #8-11. Also apparent on the card are light marks, scratches, dings, etc. It is not perfect - it was a Christmas card to be handled, but this is by far the best condition of any card I've seen. The back shows the browning of the card from its 66 years of existence. The easel has the 1958 copyright and Holt Howard ink stamp. The card comes with its original unused, unaddressed envelope and blank cardboard stability insert. The envelope also shows signs of age and wear including more of the same scratches, light stains, marks, etc. There is some tearing along the edges of the envelope. Please look at all of the photos as these will help you determine the item's condition. Please ask appropriate questions or request more photos if you need to. I realize this piece is an investment, so I want you to be comfortable with your purchase. This is truly a rare and beautiful piece. These cardboard Santas are incredibly collectible no matter what the condition and this one is in FABULOUS condition. Shipping will be via USPS Ground Advantage. The card will be folded in half once again as the factory intended and placed inside of its envelope. The card will be shipped secured between 2 pieces of thick honeycomb cardboard for protection. ReplyForwardAdd reaction

Price: 2499.99 USD

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

End Time: 2024-11-12T20:36:55.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD