Saturday, December 19, 2009

Merry Christmas from your favorite blog

For your nostalgic Christmas–or if you have a child asking if Santa is for real–we present this book cover and remind you of the most famous ever editorial..

Each year we recall the old New York Sun editorial: “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”  This year we have added three photos and a biography of Virginia.  Just click on the headline to go there.


Now about the book cover. It’s an Akron original.

Saalfied Publishing Co. published children's books and other products from 1900 to 1977. It was once one of the largest publishers of children's materials in the world.

The company was founded in 1900 in Akron by Arthur J. Saalfield who had come to take charge of the Werner Company's publishing department. During its flourishing, the company published the works of authors including Louisa May Alcott, Horatio Alger, P. T. Barnum, Daniel Defoe, Colonel George Durston, Laura Lee Hope, Herman Melville, Dr. Seuss, Anna Sewell, Shirley Temple, Johanna Spyri, Mark Twain, Johann Rudolf Wyss, and Robert Sidney Bowen. The company also published educational toys and games, including the game Blockhead!.

Among the artists employed by Saalfield was noted illustrator Ethel Hays. She worked on a variety of the company's juvenile titles, including Peter Rabbit, The Night Before Christmas, and The Little Red Hen. Her most notable work came after Saalfield had secured the license from the Johnny Gruelle Company in 1944 to produce Raggedy Anne and Andy material.

In April 1977 Saalfield Publishing Company shut down, and its library and archives were purchased by Kent State University.


If the kids want to hear about the Night Before Christmas, just click on Santa to see a video.


MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

Helen and Harry Liggett in Akron, OH

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