Saturday, December 8, 2012

Clapsaddle Santas

Today I would like to share a few Christmas postcards
created by U.S. artist Ellen H. Clapsaddle and 
published by International Art Publishing Company. 
This post will spotlight some traditional images of Santa
as well as a bit of history on the artist. 


Ellen H. Clapsaddle was a prolific postcard artist.
She designed about 2,000 postcards which bear her signature.
There are many more of her designs that were unsigned. 

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
International Art Publishing Company, Signed Ellen H. Clapsaddle,
Copyrighted from Original Painting 1907

Although Ellen never married and never had children
 of her own, she is most loved for her images of children.
You will note that most of these postcards
show children along with Santa. 

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
International Art Publishing Company, Signed Ellen H. Clapsaddle

Ellen studied art at the Cooper Institute in New York City. 
She began her career by offering individual art lessons
 and did portraits and landscapes on commission.
Her work came to the attention of 
International Art Publishing Company
and they featured her work on 
calendars, postcards and other paper collectibles. 

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
International Art Publishing Company, Unsigned Clapsaddle

Since the premier engravers and publishers were located
 in Germany, Ellen relocated to Germany
 to spend time learning with these experts. 
The postcard and greeting card business was profitable
 and Ellen invested the bulk of the money she earned
in these firms who specialized in commercial art products.

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
International Art Publishing Company, Signed Ellen H. Clapsaddle
Copyrighted 1907

Ellen was in Germany at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. 
The paper publishers’ factories were burned, records 
and original artwork were destroyed.
Ellen found herself displaced, alone
and penniless in a foreign land. 

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
International Art Publishing Company, Signed Ellen H. Clapsaddle
Series No. 2934

New York friends finally were able to locate Ellen in 1919 
and brought her back to New York.  
Her health had deteriorated as a result of her 
first-hand suffering during the war 
and coupled with the end of the German publishing industry, 
Ellen was no longer able to earn a living through her art.

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
International Art Publishing Company, Signed Ellen H. Clapsaddle
Series No. 1459, Copyrighted 1912

Our ancestors admired the beautiful postcard artwork
 and it was common for our ancestors to keep postcards
 that they received in an album. 
Safely protected from light while stored in these albums,
 today’s collector is able to find cards
with images as bright and colorful 
as those enjoyed when the cards
 were originally produced. 
We truly are fortunate our ancestors preserved these postcards
 so we can delight in the work of Ellen H. Clapsaddle today.



Until next time, live and love well.



This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

7 comments:

Simply Shelley said...

Such beautiful art in those postcards,but such a sad story to go along with the beauty...blessings

Gina @ VictorianWannaBe said...

Hi Debra, I admire your Santa postcards. The one with the little girl praying is like a repro Christmas card I got many years ago, I've loved it ever since. You sure do know a lot about the artist. Thanks for sharing. Gina

Sue said...

I always love your postcards and learning about them from you. xo Sue

momto8 said...

such interesting history!! the postcards are beautiful.

Elena said...

Wow, what an interesting story and her artwork is so lovely!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Debra, these are so precious. I love her art with the images of Santa and children! I enjoyed learning her history. A bit sad, but what an amazing artist she was.
Hugs,
Jann

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Debra, these are so precious. I love her art with the images of Santa and children! I enjoyed learning her history. A bit sad, but what an amazing artist she was.
Hugs,
Jann

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