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!