My Vintage (ever growing) Night Before Christmas Book Collection

Every year, without fail, I come across copies of The Night Before Christmas while searching second-hand stores for vintage goodies for our Etsy shop.

 

And every year, without fail, I cannot resist purchasing several I don't already have for my own ever-growing collection, started when my girls were babies (they're now in their 20's). These three books are this year's additions. Let me share the illustrations in case a certain edition 'speaks to you' and you want to track one down for yourself!

This first one is illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, an amazing artist!

(It's the large center book in the top photo)

It's not a very old book, with a relatively new copyright date of 1997.

 

There's an incredible amount of detail in the illustrations...

 

... and the colors are so beautiful.

 

There is so much for your children to be looking at while you're reading the story.

 

I can't say enough about this edition and was so happy to come across it!

 

The next edition (the copy on the left in the top photo) is a little bit older, copyright 1986, with old fashioned illustrations by TIEN.

The illustrations are whimsical and will delight children!

 

(Love that comforther Mama and Papa are snuggled under!)

 

Again, I think any child would love looking at the pictures in this book as they follow along with the story!

 

The third book I purchased this year (on the right side of the top photo) is a (c) 1984 edition with lovely illustrations by Anita Lobel.

 

One of the things I love about this edition is that it takes place in the city, whereas most versions take place in the country.

 

Again, there is a lot of detail in the illustrations...

 

... and they are just beautiful!

 

So those are the three copies I added to my vast collection this year. But if you'd like to see sample illustrations of even more copies of this classic, to see if there's a copy that you're really drawn to, just click on the links below to my previous Night Before Christmas posts:

 

Link to 2008 Night Before Christmas Blogpost

 

 Link to 2009 Night Before Christmas Blogpost

Link to 2010 Night Before Christmas Blogpost

 

Many of the copies I own are available on Etsy right now!

Here's a link to the hundreds of vintage Night Before Christmas books you'll find there:

The Night Before Christmas Books on Etsy

 

I hope you find a copy that speaks to you!

 

This week I'm joining

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday

and

Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage for Favorite Thing Saturday.

 

Be sure to visit and share something of your own!

 

Donna

'Twas the night before Christmas...

I'm totally enchanted by beautifully illustrated copies of Clement Clarke Moore's "The Night Before Christmas"... So much so, that I've built up quite a collection over the years.


(click any photos to enlarge)

Every Christmas Eve our family reads The Night Before Christmas. I love how each artist puts his or her own style into the illustrations... They're all so beautiful, and so widely varied! See for yourself...

Starting with the older copyrights and moving forward... my first book is copyright 1949, illustrations by Leonard Weisgard:



I love this Little Golden Book version, illustrated by Eloise Wilkin, copyright 1955 (look at that 25 cent price on the cover!)



This copyright 1965 version, illustrated by Reisie Lonette, has the dreamiest illustrations. I love how the original owner penciled in "Narrator," "Papa," and "Santa" for the different parts. Clearly several people took part in reading this book at one time! (I love the history of used books! And see the 29 cent sticker? You don't see prices like that on hardcover books anymore!)


I just love Douglas Gorsline's illustrations in this copyright 1975 version... A black kitty is prominent in his version, and many of you know how partial I am to little black kitties!!

I own two Tasha Tudor versions. This is the copyright 1975 version... She is such an original. Her work is immediately recognizable and her style is perfect for The Night Before Christmas... And, of course, her adorable corgis are always featured in her beautiful illustrations...

Here's another Little Golden Book, copyright 1987, with illustrations by Kathy Wilburn...



Okay, I just want to crawl into this book and live with this little bunny family! Jacqueline Rogers has just captured all the loveliness of the Christmas season with her sweet little bunnies in this copyright 1987 version...





Are you a Scotty dog lover? If so, you'll just flip for the vibrant illustrations in this copyright 1993 Jean Hirashima version!!!



This little copyright 1995 Candy Cane Book is different in that the inside illustrations are by Susan Spellman, but the cover illustration is by Linda Graves...



If you're a fan of old Victorian illustrations, you will LOVE this book! The book itself is copyright 1997, but the illustrations are copyright 1888 by William Roger Snow (pseudonym Richard Andre)... Just gorgeous!





I'm just a sucker for versions that feature furry little creatures! The little mouse family in Loretta Krupinski's copyright 1998 version is just adorable!! I love every one of her beautiful illustrations - see for yourself!

We have so many of Jan Brett's books! Back in 1996, the girls got to meet Jan Brett at a local bookstore and watch her draw a hedgehog as well! We love all of her books, and her copyright 1998 version of The Night Before Christmas is no exception - such detailed, beautiful illustrations!!!



Sharon Cartwright did a beautiful job with her copyright 1999 version, published by Junior Jellybean Books...



This is the other Tasha Tudor version I own, copyright 1999... All of her illustrations are so detailed and magical!



If you are a dog lover, you must check out William Wegman's copyright 2000 version, featuring his famous (and adorable!!) Weimaraners!! My girls first saw his beautiful dogs on Sesame Street, and this book's photography and the 'human' characteristics of his canine cast will delight everyone, young or old!!!

"The Visit," a copyright 2001 version by Mark Kimball Moulton is a little bit different in that it tells "the delightful history and origin of "The Night Before Christmas" as recalled by Dinghy Sharp, storyteller and great-great-granddaughter of author, Clement Clarke Moore." Add to that the phenomenal illustrations of well known artist, Susan Winget, and you've got a "must have" copy for anyone who collects "Night Before Christmas" books! (I'm so lucky to have a signed, personalized copy as I purchased it directly from author Mark Kimball Moulton!)




I almost passed by this version because (to be quite honest) I wasn't very attracted to the cover. Luckily I didn't "judge this book by its cover" because the inside illustrations are phenomenal, featuring the nostalgic Santa Claus illustrations of Haddon Sundblom!




I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into these talented artists' renditions of The Night Before Christmas!!! I treasure my collection and enjoy looking through them ... They instantly get you into the Christmas spirit!


(all artwork is copyright of the individual artists)

Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

Donna