Our Hopeful Home: Thrill of the Hunt #79

It's Thrill of the Hunt time again, friends! Thanks for stopping by -- I'm always happy to share my vintage finds with you.

Ironically, now that Christmas has come and gone, I have a few vintage Christmas finds to share. First up is something called a Belsnickle. Admittedly, I came across it a few years ago and then put it away and forgot about it. I recently unearthed it from my studio stash and realized I should list it in my Etsy shop.

When I came across this teeny tiny Santa at Goodwill I had no idea he was a collectible. I just thought he'd be a good "small" to have on hand for filling Christmas snow globes. I've since learned that he is indeed a collectible first created by Linda Lindquist Baldwin in 1997. According to German folklore, a Belsnickle is a crotchety, fur-clad Christmas gift-bringer. And that's exactly what he looks like.

One interesting feature is that it's incredibly tiny at a mere 2 1/2 inches tall. And it has an actual nickel embedded in the bottom of it. At least I think it's a real nickel. I know older ones appear to have a real nickel, however this one is so small I have to wonder if it's not a replica.

Another unique feature of Belsnickle figurines is that they're covered in glitter. What could be better than that? I also love the gold accents on his robe, and the fact that he's carrying a lantern. Vintage Beksnickle is SOLD.

The next vintage Christmas find is a 1978 Norman Rockwell "Santa At The Map" ornament. Another Goodwill find, I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. It is a glass ball ornament approximately 10 inches around its widest section. Wrapped around it is a colored decal depicting Santa sitting on a stool in front of a map and writing in his journal entitled "Extra Good Boys and Girls." 1978 is also noted prominently on the front of it.

On the back it says Norman Rockwell Fourth Limited Edition 1978 Christmas Ornament, Saturday Evening Post Co. 1978.

The original painting was entitled Extra Good Boys And Girls, appearing on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post on December 16, 1939. Alternate titles for this painting are Santa At The Map and Santa On Ladder With Map. It was the 192nd published Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post cover and the seventh one of 1939. This painting was Rockwell's seventh picture of Santa Claus featured on the cover of The Post. The original oil on canvas painting, 37 x 29 inches, is housed in a private collection.

It even came with the original box. The price sticker shows that it was sold at Hood's pharmacy (wherever that was) for $4.50, which seems expensive considering it was 40 years ago.

It's a truly adorable ornament. Can you see the feather pen behind Santa's ear? And the stool he's sitting on is precious.The fact that it's a replica of a Norman Rockwell painting makes it all the more special. Vintage 1978 Norman Rockwell Santa At The Map Ornament is SOLD.

Last but not least is another vintage, wee-sized Christmas find. I'm not a collector, but it reminded me of those adorable collectible "Snowbabies" figurines. It's a little angel dressed in a snowsuit, holding a snowman. Unfortunately, the tag from the bottom has been pulled off.

Both the little girl and the snowman have gold accents that break up the snowy, bright white.

It's so adorable that she's got her arm around him. I love his jaunty gold hat.

Here it looks like she's putting the final touches on his nose. Again, it's not from the actual Snowbabies collection. But I love it just the same. Vintage winged snow angel and snowman figurine is AVAILABLE.

Well, that's it until next time, friends!

I hope I've inspired the collector in you

in some way and that you enjoyed reading

Thrill of the Hunt #79.

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