The angelic face makes us think we’re headed for your typical Victorian best Christmas wishes. That dazed opiate-laden stare gives us reassurance that there couldn’t be any surprises here.
But what’s that she’s holding?
Dear GOD, it’s Santa’s Satanic disembodied head!
This has got to be one of those moments where we have a distinctly different cultural vibe than whatever the designer of this 1910 “Joyous Christmas” postcard was feeling. Can you spot the joy?
I swear it is not retouched, that evil greenish coloring is spot varnished in exactly the same way as the bright colors in the rest of it. And look at the leering smile, that outline is unmistakable, even without the green touches. This is a lecherous Kris Kringle who’s about to rip that virgin’s neck right out.
Ok, yes it’s a paper mask, it’s not really a disembodied head, but now that I think about it, why would she need a paper mask of Carnivorous Klaus…could she be preparing to join Andy Williams at that party he refers to in the song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year?”
“There’ll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago…”
Hm, could be!
– C.
