Historical association hosts Santa image collector

The Orleans County Historical Association will host a Holiday Dinner and program at Hickory Ridge Country Club on Thursday, December 5 starting at 6 p.m. The featured after dinner speaker will be the well-known Santa collector Bob Hoffman from Pittsford. With over 18,000 Santa items in his personal collection, Hoffman participates as a dealer at many international paper collecting shows. He has recently authored a book entitled "Postcards from Santa Claus" which is a tool for the collector and those fascinated by Christmases past.

In a recent article in the "Paper and Advertising Collector," Hoffman's book is lauded as a book "that provides historical background of the 'jolly old elf' from the 1800s to the present day. Colorful postcards illustrate the work of popular artists and distinctive periods, such as Art Nouveau and Art Deco. The postcards individually give insight to the life of those times by the messages the senders have inscribed on back. Santa's image has been used in advertising Coca Cola®, war bonds, chocolates, toys, hats and more." Through the exhibit of some unique pieces of his personal collection, Hoffman will take the audience through a charming tour of Christmas in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The dinner and program are open to the public but reservations are required by December 1. Contact Mary Isselhard, 638-6994, for details.