Photograph
Santa and young boy in window of Frederick & Nelson department store, circa 1943
Order an ImageSeattle's Frederick & Nelson store celebrated the Christmas season with ornate decorations and holiday-themed events. A talented staff of designers worked year round to create the department store's decorations and displays. The store was most famous for its Christmas windows. Over the years, these colorful windows showcased toys, moving electric trains, live reindeer, a functioning skating rink, and Santa Claus himself. Minstrels strolled the store, and holiday characters such as "Uncle Mistletoe" and "Aunt Holly" made appearances. Children attended events such as Santa Claus breakfasts and posed for pictures with Santa in the corner window at 6th Avenue and Pine. Seattle P-I photographer Art French is credited with coming up with the idea of the Santa photo, which quickly became a store tradition.
Pictured here is a young boy with the original Frederick & Nelson store Santa in the window of the Seattle store.
Caption information source: "More Than a Store," by Robert Spector, 1990.
Pictured here is a young boy with the original Frederick & Nelson store Santa in the window of the Seattle store.
Caption information source: "More Than a Store," by Robert Spector, 1990.
ID Number: 1993.43.21.30.1
Date: Circa 1943
Physical Description: 1 photographic print : b&w ; 6 x 7 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
View the finding aid for this collection at https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv72858
View the finding aid for this collection at https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv72858
Credit: MOHAI, Frederick & Nelson Records, 1993.43.21.30.1
Copyright: All Rights Reserved