Mel Crawford (Canadian, B. 1925) "Bringing Tree Home on a Sleigh" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board.
Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 20c Santa Claus stamp issued October 28, 1983.
The heartwarming tradition of decorating a tree to celebrate a joyous occasion originated in ancient Rome. However, the use of colorful Christmas tree ornaments began in sixteenth century Germany. There, trees were adorned with gilded nuts, fresh apples, delicate sugar figures, and carefully made dolls and shepherds. It was Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert, that first introduced this heartwarming custom to England, and in 1841, the royal family celebrated the holidays around a gigantic Christmas tree beautifully decorated with wax tapers and sweetmeats. It wasn't until 1860 that fragile glass trinkets began to replace the tasty edible ornaments. Again, it was the sentimental Germans that took the lead. Humble peasants in central Germany worked at the primitive industry in their own small cottages. The father carefully blew the intricate figures from molten glass, while the rest of the family took pleasure in colorfully painting them with fancy designs. Today's tree may be less mouth-watering than those once trimmed with sweets, but permanent ornaments do have one great advantage: around a familiar star or angel, a family can build up its own traditions year after year. Perhaps the greatest thrill of Christmas comes during the proud moments of bringing home a fragrant, freshly-cut family Christmas tree.
Image Size: 14 x 12 in.
Overall Size: 17 x 14.25 in.
Unframed.
(B08333)
Condition
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