Check out this page from a 1967 Steiff catalog featuring an almost life-sized Santa Claus doll. You can click on the image to make it bigger. Many collectors are familiar with the company's popular and beloved smaller Santa Claus dolls, which were produced in 13, 18, and 31 cm from 1953 through 1963 overall. This pattern was also made as a puppet. In the 1960s, Steiff produced this big fellow as a display piece in 150 cm, or about 5 feet. These supersized Steiff Santas were dressed to the nines in fine felt tailored suits trimmed in mohair - just like their rockstar namesake!
Today, these life-sized Santas are extremely rare, as for the most part, time has not been kind to them. Because their faces were made from rubber, they tend to dry out, sink, and crack as the years go by. As such, there are not too many of these still around. Steiffgal only knows of one, and he's having a rough go of it. And speaking of faces, it is interesting to note that the same facial mold used to create this display Santa was also used on the company's display sized shepherd and gnomes which were all produced at the same time as this Santa; you can see two of these "lifesized" gnomes here on the left. You can click on the image to make it bigger. Steiff's Santa catalog page, like many of Steiff's vintage advertising images, is utterly charming, visually engaging, and tells a happy story. It is also fun to check out the other secondary items in the shot - those toys and articles placed around the featured article to help bring it to life. The selections often represent a "time capsule" of popular line items of the time, which is absolutely true in this case as well.
Santa's delightful deliveries from 1967 include:
*A caramel mohair “mask style" original Teddy bear (made from 1966-93 in sizes ranging from 11-100 cm overall.)
*A grey mohair Snobby poodle (made from 1954-74 in sizes ranging from 10-43 cm overall.)
*A white plush Diva cat (made from 1967-78 in 35 cm.)
*A mohair giraffe (made from 1953-74 in sizes ranging from 14-75 cm overall.)
*A brown mohair jointed Jocko monkey (made from 1949-81 in sizes ranging from 10-80 cm overall.)
*A grey mohair Jumbo elephant (made from 1952-75 in 22 and 35 cm overall.)
*A Mungo multicolored monkey (made from 1957-71 in 17, 25, and 35 cm overall.)
*A tan wool plush camel (made from 1950-69 in 14, 17, 28, and 35 cm overall.)
Steiffgal ho-ho-hopes this life-sized discussion on Steiff's display Santa Claus has put you in a holly-jolly mood!
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