Vintage Santa Claus Christmas Greeting Card, Early 1900s

Santa has apparently either achieved enlightenment or just spotted a reindeer doing something illegal, based on the evidence of his wild, toothy grin and eyes squeezed nearly shut in manic upward-rolling ecstasy. His red nose bulges heroically from a face that has clearly seen some things, all framed by a beard so voluminous and bluish-white it appears to be consuming him alive. The holly sprigs flanking his shoulders are doing their festive best, but they're losing the battle against whatever fever dream this Santa is currently experiencing. The text 'To Wish You A Merry Christmas' is rendered in elegant cursive directly over his cascading beard, which is a choice, artistically speaking, like writing 'Happy Birthday' across a thundercloud.