The Illustrated Santa Claus: The Complete Visual History of the World’s Most Beloved Christmas Icon
SHORT DESCRIPTION
The Illustrated Santa Claus traces the evolution of the world’s most beloved Christmas icon, from ancient roots and Saint Nicholas traditions to the familiar gift-bringer celebrated around the globe today.
DETAILS
AUTHOR: Lochlainn Seabrook.
ILLUSTRATOR: Lochlainn Seabrook.
CONTENT: adult and teenage nonfiction.
SUBJECTS: Santa Claus, Santa Claus origins and history, Christmas, Christmas origins and history, holidays, religion, Christmas customs and traditions, Christianity, mythology, midwinter celebrations, ancient history, modern history, folklore, illustrated reference, Christmas art.
ILLUSTRATED: yes (color).
SIZE: 5.5” x 8.5”.
LENGTH: 188 pgs.
COVER: paperback/perfect bound/gloss finish; hardcover/case laminate/matte finish.
PUBLISHER: Sea Raven Press.
ISBN: 979-8-950389-26-9 (paperback).
ISBN: 979-8-950389-27-6 (hardcover).
FULL DESCRIPTION
Discover the Fascinating Story Behind Santa Claus, The World's Most Beloved Christmas Icon
In The Illustrated Santa Claus, bestselling author, historian, and artist Lochlainn Seabrook traces Santa’s remarkable evolution across centuries of history, folklore, religion, art, and popular culture.
Through richly illustrated profiles, Seabrook explores the many influences associated with Santa Claus, including Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, European gift-bringers, ancient winter customs, medieval legends, seasonal folklore, Victorian celebrations, literature, historic imagery, advertising, film, music, toys, and holiday symbolism. Striking original full-color artwork brings Santa’s extraordinary heritage to life while capturing the warmth, wonder, and magic of the Christmas season.
Seabrook’s narrative journeys from ancient Pagan and medieval winter traditions through Christianity, Saint Nicholas customs, and European lore to Santa’s transformation in America and eventual emergence as an international symbol of Christmas. He examines the syncretistic blending of religious, folkloric, and cultural elements that shaped the Santa recognized today, including possible ties to ancient Egypt and roots extending even further into distant prehistory.
Detailed appendices provide additional historical and cultural reference material, complemented by a glossary, bibliography, and extensive index for further study.
Blending history, folklore, mythology, religion, art, symbolism, and cultural studies, this distinctive volume offers an entertaining, informative, and open-minded exploration of Santa Claus for anyone captivated by Christmas and the extraordinary heritage surrounding its most famous figure. Makes a great gift! Available in paperback and hardcover.
PUBLISHER’S REVIEW
“Sumptuously illustrated and richly informative, The Illustrated Santa Claus takes readers on an extraordinary journey through the history of the world’s most celebrated Christmas figure. Author-artist Lochlainn Seabrook reaches beyond the familiar red suit and sleigh to investigate Santa’s complex heritage, exploring ancient Pagan traditions, Christianity, Saint Nicholas, European gift-bringers, folklore, mythology, symbolism, Victorian customs, art, literature, and popular culture, while considering possible connections reaching back to ancient Egypt and beyond. Original full-color artwork, detailed appendices, a glossary, bibliography, and extensive index enhance this ambitious visual study. Festive yet scholarly, entertaining yet thought-provoking, Seabrook’s open-minded approach reveals Santa Claus as the product of a remarkable convergence of religious, folkloric, historical, and cultural influences. An illuminating celebration of Christmas history for folklorists, historians, researchers, Christmas enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the deeper origins of the world’s most beloved holiday icon.” — SEA RAVEN PRESS
All text and images copyright © Sea Raven Press.