Published by William B. Gilley in 1821, “The Children’s Friend. Number III. A New-Year’s Present to the Little Ones from Five to Twelve”, is believed to be the first book published in America to include lithographic illustrations. This book includes a poem about “Santeclaus” along with eight colored illustrations.
However, what makes this book significant is the poem and illustrations are thought to be the earliest known visual representation of Santa Claus in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. The poem also marks Santa’s first appearance on Christmas Day rather than December 6, the feast day of St. Nicholas.
The Children’s Friend. Number III.
A New-Year’s Present to the Little Ones from Five to Twelve
by William B. Gilley, 1821
Old Santeclaus with much delight
His reindeer drives this frosty night.
O’er chimney tops, and tracks of snow,
To bring his yearly gifts to you.
The steady friend of virtuous youth,
The friend of duty, and of truth,
Each Christmas eve he joys to come
Where love and peace have made their home”
Through many houses he has been,
And various beds and stockings seen,
Some, white as snow, and neatly mended,
Others, that seem’d for pigs intended.
Where e’er I found good girls or boys,
That hated quarrels, strife and noise,
Left an apple, or a tart,
Or wooden gun, or painted cart;
To some I gave a pretty doll,
To some a peg-top, or a ball;
No crackers, cannons, squibs, or rockets,
To blow their eyes up, or their pockets.
No drums to stun their Mother’s ear,
Nor swords to make their sisters fear;
But pretty books to store their mind
With knowledge of each various kind.
But where I found the children naughty,
In manners rude, in temper haughty,
Thankless to parents, liars, swearers,
Boxers, or cheats, or base tale-bearers,
I left a long, black, birchen rod,
Such as the dread command of God
Directs a Parent’s hand to use
When virtue’s path his sons refuse
Santa association responds to Attleborough Christmas row
By Casey Cooper-Fiske
Source - Eastern Daily Express
Date 17-11-2022
“You’re both on the naughty list!” That was the message from the big man himself to two rival Norfolk Santas.
The festive feud began when two members of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas (IBRBS) fell out.
Accusations over copycat outfits and attempts to close down one anothers' grottos have been flying in Attleborough.
Mitchell Scott and Jonathan Lewis' argument began when Mr Scott turned down the role at the town's Christmas fair which is run by Mr Lewis' daughter. So Mr Lewis decided to take up the job himself.
Mr Scott then accused Mr Lewis of going to the same seamstress for his outfit and even attempting to stop him from working in his grotto at Pride Homecare.
But now the IBRBS - based in Phoenix, Arizona in the USA - has responded saying each Father Christmas will be receiving a notice with "an explanation of why this kind of dust-up is not appropriate".
The brotherhood said the "trivial disagreement" between the two of them was "something they should avoid".
Chief IBRBS Santa, Stephen Arnold, who plays Saint Nick at Elvis' Graceland home, said contrary to previous reports there was no written rule around two Santas appearing in the same place.
But he added it was common courtesy for Father Christmases to avoid being seen together regardless of whether they are in costume due to their distinguishable beards.
He said: "Santa Lewis joined our organisation in October 2022 and Santa Scott joined our organisation only seven days ago.
"Both are very new with us. We do have a list of tenets to which members must affirm they have read and agreed to.
"Perhaps this mild territorial dispute might be considered a violation of our last tenet regarding bringing embarrassment to the Christmas community."
Unless two events are in such close proximity that someone attending the one event and seeing Santa can look at another event and see the other performer without straining the chief Santa said there were no issues.
But with regards to costume copying, Mr Arnold said while the suit did not make the Santa, any Father Christmas "would feel a bit peeved" if they found their seamstress had provided another performer with an outfit "indistinguishable from our own".
He added: "Mr Scott with more than six years of experience should know better and Mr Lewis having only started might not be aware of common courtesy proffered within our community.
"I will touch base with both of them."