Civil War Stars and Stripes Santa

Santa Claus has taken on many different looks throughout the centuries. One of the first images of Santa that we would recognize came from the illustrations of Thomas Nast. Nast worked extensively during the Civil War doing recruiting posters and Christmas images that reflected the hardship of the time. One of his most recognized images was of an American Santa in Red, White and Blue with Stars and Stripes. This illustration appeared during a particular low point in the war and President Lincoln gave Nast credit for lifting the morale for not only the boys in blue, but the country as well.