Thomas Nast Merry Old Santa Claus – Vintage Christmas Wall Art
A white-bearded Santa raises a long-stemmed clay pipe high above his shoulder, its bowl dangling with rising smoke, while his other…
A white-bearded Santa raises a long-stemmed clay pipe high above his shoulder, its bowl dangling with rising smoke, while his other arm cradles an armload of toys. Thomas Nast Merry Old Santa Claus renders a smiling elderly figure in a fur-trimmed coat, a sprig of holly tucked in his flowing hair, drawn in dense black cross-hatching on aged cream paper. A toy sword belt lettered US, a hobby horse and a bald baby doll crowd around him.
Made for collectors of Victorian illustration and anyone who loves nineteenth-century images of Santa Claus, this monochrome engraving suits a warm, traditional interior. Hang it above a mantel in the living room or beside the desk in a book-lined study where its fine line work rewards a close look. Browse more Vintage Christmas Prints to build a festive gallery wall.
Questions about this print
Who first drew Santa Claus as we picture him?
Cartoonist Thomas Nast shaped the modern image of Santa Claus through his engravings for Harper's Weekly in the 1860s to 1880s. This design, Merry Old Santa Claus, was published in 1881 and shows the plump, fur-clad, pipe-raising figure that later illustrators built upon. Nast's line work defined the look for decades.
What does this Thomas Nast Santa Claus scene actually show?
The print shows an elderly Santa with a full white beard and long hair, holly tucked in his hair, wearing a fur-trimmed coat with a buttoned vest and belt. He raises a long-stemmed pipe aloft in one hand and cradles toys in the other, including a belt lettered US, a hobby horse, a sword, a trumpet and a bald baby doll.
Is this an original antique engraving or a reproduction?
This is a giclée reproduction of Thomas Nast's 1881 Harper's Weekly wood engraving, not an original print. We reproduce the public-domain artwork onto premium 230GSM archival matte paper so the monochrome cross-hatching and sepia-toned tones stay crisp. You receive a new, unframed poster printed to order.
What size works for a living room wall?
For a living room feature above a sofa or mantel, choose 24×36 or 32×40 so the fine engraving detail reads from across the room. In a study or hallway, 16×20 or 18×24 suits a smaller wall or a gallery cluster. Ten sizes are offered, from 5×7 up to 32×40.
Production
Every print is made to order and individually quality-checked before it ships. Production takes 1–4 business days.
Delivery times
Christmas delivery
To have it by Christmas, order by Saturday, December 12 in the US or Friday, December 4 for Canada. Carriers set earlier cut-offs in December: USPS asks for holiday parcels to ship by December 17 within the US and by December 9 to Canada, and every print is made to order first.
Free shipping
Free on every US order. Canada — free over CA$99 (CA$14.99 below). International — free over CA$199 (CA$29.99 below). Every order ships with full tracking.
Packaging
Each print ships flat in a protective mailer or rolled in a thick, crush-resistant tube, depending on size — no bends, no creases, gallery-ready on arrival.
Returns
Every print is made to order in the size you select, so prints can’t be returned or exchanged for a different size or a change of mind. Arrived damaged or defective? Send us a photo within 7 days of delivery and we reprint it free.
All prints are unframed archival paper with a clean white border, so you’re free to trim or frame them however you like. Ten sizes, from desk-friendly to oversized statement pieces:
Choosing a size
11×14″ and 16×20″ suit desks, shelves and gallery walls. 18×24″ is our best-selling statement size for bedrooms and studios. 24×36″ and larger make a bold focal point above sofas, beds and dining areas.
Gallery walls
Mix 11×14″ and 16×20″ prints with 2–3″ spacing between frames for a curated, designer look. Need a custom size up to 36×70″? Contact us for a quote.
Printing
Each poster is produced with professional giclée printing on heavyweight 230gsm archival matte paper — a smooth, glare-free, gallery-grade stock with a bright white base for true-to-life colour. Paired with archival, fade-resistant pigment inks, every print holds its contrast, depth and fine detail for decades — no fading, no yellowing.
Why it matters
Heavyweight 230gsm archival matte eliminates glare and delivers museum-level colour depth that standard poster paper simply can’t match — the same fine-art materials trusted by galleries.
Framing
Prints ship unframed with a clean border, ready for the frame of your choice. Black, white or natural wood all work beautifully; pair with UV-protective glass for maximum longevity. See our framing guide for recommendations.
Care
Display away from direct sunlight to preserve vibrancy, and dust gently with a soft, dry microfiber cloth.
Everything you need to know about ordering premium wall art from Haus of Prints — paper and print quality, sizing, framing, shipping and returns. Browse our most-loved collections like KAWS, Hypebeast, Sneaker, Car, and Music posters, or read on for answers. Still stuck? Email hausofprints@protonmail.com and we’ll reply within 24 hours.
Product & Quality
Question: What kinds of art do you sell?
Answer: Two worlds on one wall: original culture-driven designs — KAWS-inspired and hypebeast art, sneakers, anime, music, F1 and automotive — and The Archive, our restored museum classics spanning William Morris, Japanese woodblock masters, Art Nouveau, vintage travel posters, gothic engravings and the 1909 tarot deck. Every collection is printed on the same 230 GSM archival matte stock.
Question: What paper and print quality do you use?
Answer: Every poster is printed on 230 GSM archival matte paper with giclée pigment inks. Expect rich colour, deep blacks and a smooth, glare-free matte finish, with inks made to resist fading for decades. See how it compares in posters vs canvas vs metal.
Question: Will my poster fade over time?
Answer: No. Prints use archival pigment inks on acid-free 230 GSM matte paper, made to resist fading for decades when kept out of direct sunlight. Framing behind glass or UV-protective acrylic adds extra protection — see our framing guide.
Question: How do giclée posters compare to canvas or metal prints?
Answer: Giclée on archival matte paper gives sharp detail and accurate colour, frames well, and suits a gallery wall of several prints. We break down the trade-offs in posters vs canvas vs metal.
Sizing & Framing
Question: What sizes do you offer?
Answer: We offer ten sizes, from 5×7 up to 32×40 inches (availability varies by design). Sizes vary by design and format. Each product page lists the dimensions available for that specific poster or set. Not sure which to choose? See our Poster Size Guide and the blog standard poster sizes.
Question: What size should I get for my wall?
Answer: A simple rule: your art should fill about two-thirds of the wall or the furniture beneath it. 18×24 works well as a statement size; 24×36 and larger suit spaces above sofas and beds. Full room-by-room breakdown in the Size Guide.
Question: Do posters arrive framed, and how do I frame them?
Answer: Classic prints ship unframed, flat or rolled depending on size, so you can pick a frame you love — our standard sizes drop straight into off-the-shelf frames. Prefer it ready to hang? Our framed posters arrive assembled by hand in Black Oak or Natural Oak frames with acrylic glazing. Step-by-step help is in How to Frame Your Poster and the blog how to frame a poster.
Shipping & Packaging
Question: How long does shipping take?
Answer: Every order is printed fresh for you. Production takes 1–4 business days, then delivery is roughly: Canada 3–5, United States 2–5, and international 5–15 business days. Details in our Shipping Policy.
Question: How much does shipping cost?
Answer: Free shipping on every US order. Canada ships free over CA$99 (otherwise CA$14.99 flat); international orders ship free over CA$199 (otherwise CA$29.99 flat). International orders ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) — duties and taxes are included, so there are no surprise fees at your door.
Question: Do you ship internationally?
Answer: Yes — we ship worldwide, all DDP, so the price you see at checkout is the price you pay.
Question: How are posters packaged?
Answer: Each print is quality-inspected, then shipped flat in a protective mailer or carefully rolled in a crush-resistant tube, depending on size, to prevent creases and dents. Packaging is eco-friendly and discreet.
Returns & Orders
Question: What if my poster arrives damaged?
Answer: Email hausofprints@protonmail.com within 7 days of delivery with your order number and photos of the print and the packaging, and we’ll send a free replacement. See Returns & Refunds.
Question: Can I return my order if I change my mind?
Answer: No. Every print is made to order in the size selected at checkout, so orders cannot be returned, exchanged or refunded for a size change or change of mind. Please check the size guide on the product page before ordering. Damaged or defective prints reported within 7 days of delivery are replaced free. Full policy: Returns & Refunds.
Question: Can I change or cancel my order?
Answer: Production starts quickly, so email us as soon as possible. If your order hasn’t entered production yet, we can usually update or cancel it.
Question: How do I track my order?
Answer: You’ll get a tracking number by email the moment your order ships. You can also track it from your account, or use the link in your shipping email.
Account & Support
Question: Do I need to create an account?
Answer: No — you can check out as a guest. Creating an account lets you track orders and check out faster next time.
Question: How do I contact customer support?
Answer: Email hausofprints@protonmail.com and we’ll reply within 24 hours on business days, or use the Contact Us form.
A white-bearded Santa raises a long-stemmed clay pipe high above his shoulder, its bowl dangling with rising smoke, while his other arm cradles an armload of toys.
Premium 230GSM archival matte with professional giclée printing — sharp detail, rich fade-resistant tone, and a glare-free finish that keeps every detail crisp in any light.
16x20, 5x7, 8x10, 11x14, A3, 18x24, 20x25, 24x30, 24x36, 32x40. Smaller sizes suit gallery clusters; larger formats carry a wall on their own.
Frames shown in photos are for display only. Your print ships with a clean white border, ready for the frame that matches your space and styling.
Made to order in 1–4 business days, then shipped worldwide with tracking — flat in a protective mailer or rolled in a crush-resistant tube, depending on size, never folded.
4.99
Everything perfect! Had a small question which the seller answered quickly and the prints look great, quality is also amazing.
Every print is made to order in the size you select, so size changes and change of mind are not covered.
Arrived damaged or defective? Send a photo within 7 days of delivery and we reprint it free.
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