Limited Edition Thomas Nast Christmas Ornament and Vintage Postcard Book of Morristown Support Local Efforts

The Tourism Bureau began the Christmas ornament series in 2006, highlighting a distinctive Thomas Nast illustration on a unique colored glass ball. Thomas Nast, a political cartoonist of the 19th century, lived in Morristown for 30 years, incorporating his family and home in many of his illustrations.  Collectors and locals have followed the series, adding one of these limited edition ornaments to their collection each year.

The first ornament was a maroon colored Christmas ball, with Nast’s classic illustration, “Merry Old Santa Claus” (1881), featuring Santa Claus with his knapsack filled with toys. In 2009, a gold ornament highlighted “Merry Christmas” (1885), Santa’s jolly face surrounded by mistletoe.  A blue ornament introduced in 2010 featured “Twas the Night before Christmas” (1876), one of Nast’s sons hanging a stocking from the fireplace mantel in their home. Last year, the ornaments were offered in two colors, green and white with “Caught” (1892) an illustration of one of Nast’s children with their arms around Santa. This year, the Tourism Bureau is offering a classic red ornament with the image “The Christ Child” (1882), in which Nast’s youngest child, Cyril was the model. Additionally, an updated version of “Twas the Night before Christmas” was brought back.

These ornaments are beautiful stocking stuffers, hostess or employee appreciation gifts.  They are manufactured in the USA using only American materials. Ten percent of proceeds go to the American Red Cross, Hurricane Sandy relief.
 
Thomas Nast (1840-1902), a German immigrant who came to the United States in 1846, studied at New York’s National Academy and was a Morristown resident for 30 years.  His first important job was as a sketch artist for Harper’s Weekly,
sending in his original drawings from the Civil War front.  One of those images, “Santa in Camp” printed on January 1, 1863, became the iconic American image of Santa Claus. His other contributions include Uncle Sam, the Democratic donkey, the Republican elephant and Columbia, representing the honor and folly of all Americans.
 
Also available from Arcadia Publishing’s “Postcard History” series is “Morristown” from local author Bonnie-Lynn Nadzeika. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images and postcard memories of days gone by. Readers will learn about the history of long-time Morristown institutions; the YMCA, Morristown Memorial Hospital, historic sites, clubs and organizations and Morristown’s famous faces from the 1800s to the 1900s.
 
For additional information on these items visit morristourism.org.
 

Contact Information

Deidre Schunk

Information Manager

Morris County Tourism Bureau

(1) 973-631-5151

dschunk@morristourism.org