Demon Santa

Deer Crest, Grant, 1960 Collection of Holiday Cards
To prove that we are seasonally or regionally promiscuous, today we’re talking about Christmas across the nation. Several years ago, our good friend Jan Fleming gave us a wonderful catalogue of holiday cards. The Deer Crest collection for 1960 describes the cards as having “the magic touch of truly cognitive artists.” I guess this means they weren’t brain dead or operating at a purely physical or unemotional place. If that were the case, perhaps they would be white cards with black Helvetica type that says plainly, “Holiday”. Oh wait, I think I saw those at Crate and Barrel. The cover of the catalogue is remarkable. There are many wonderful cards in here, some very sappy, and others religious. My favorites include the demon Santa in the Jack-in-the-box. Why? What does it mean? Is the falling key metaphorical? I covet the yellow, green, and pink Christmas trees on the Santa sprinkle card. I’ve always wanted a seafoam colored tree, but the world is in a “good taste” phase, so I’ll need to wait until everyone is comfortable and begins to love the garish again.

The demon-in-the-box Santa

Santa sprinkle with garish and wonderful trees

This is titled "Canopied Clatter-Trap"

The street with glitter trees

For our type lovers
Tags: Cards, Christmas, Deer Crest, Design, Jan Fleming, Santa Claus

October 1st, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I fucking love these! They are so perfectly and truly Christmas the way it used to be. Remember? Remember those days? But the demon-in-the-box santa is the best. I think the demon is Santa’s id, and the key is his super-ego—the moralizing function which he drops when he faces his id. It means that Santa is not as safe and jolly as he might seem; he has a darker side and it could be aroused at any moment—and set free when he drops the key. Beware of Santa.
And Sean, if you want a seafoam coloured tree, get a seafoam coloured tree. Life is short.
Merry Christmas!
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Yes, as always your deconstruction of the demon Santa is spot on.