This eleven-color lithograph, measuring 25.5 by 20 inches, was hand proofed and printed at Atelier Ettinger in December of 1976. The edition consists of 260 impressions on papier dÆArches. 200 were numbered and 60 artist proofs were signed in pencil by Norman Rockwell. An additional 35 prints pencil signed and designated with roman numerals were reserved for Rockwell. 25 deluxe signed proofs were also printed on Inomachi Nacre (Japon) paper.

From childhood, Norman Rockwell loved the world of Charles Dickens. He would draw pictures of Scrooge while listening to the famous tale, hoping to capture the characters as Dickens imagined them. It is no wonder that Rockwell is often credited with the ôinvention of the modern American Christmas and the tender sentiments attached to it: kindly Santa Clauses who ponder each juvenile requests; merry Dickensian travelers bound for home on cold winter nights; cozy hearths; windows aglow with warm light spilling out across the snow. Rockwell helped to create the outlines of a secular, commercial holiday suffused with the intense feelings of a religious ritualùbut a ritual in which he largely declined to participate, except as a shrewd and not unsympathetic observer.ö

For its Christmas covers, The Saturday Evening Post often favored one of ôthree types of holiday symbolism: Santas; Olde English scenes with literary overtones; and posh costumes that were neo-medieval or even religious flavor.ö The plump man waiting to bring home his Christmas feast is of the second type. It is clear that Rockwell put a lot of effort into making the gentlemenÆs clothing look authentic in order to create a Dickensian scene equipped with holiday attire and a Christmas goose.

ûFrom Karal Ann MarlingÆs Norman Rockwell

The purchase of any limited edition Norman Rockwell print is accompanied by an authenticity certificate signed by our museum director. Purchases come with museum membership and care and handling instructions for the print. Payments may be made through our interest free 10 month layaway plan. All signed reproduction purchases contribute directly to the museum endowment. Please ask for more assistance.