Santa Claus as a Size‐shifter—pt. 1, Shortness.
The great majority of public‐domain sources depict Santa Claus as a man of normal height, but a significant subset instead depict him as being very short. Though this is presumably nothing more than contradictions in the source material (that apparently reflect differences in his appearance from universe to universe), his connection to magic and miracles suggests the possibility that he may be able to alter his height, especially as it would be beneficial to someone who routinely slides down chimneys.
In December 1823, St. Nicholas is small enough to fit in what is described as his “miniature sleigh” which is drawn by “eight tiny rein‐deer” (“Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas”).
In 1863, likely referring to his small stature, Santa Claus jokes that “I was a cruisin’ round all last night—didn’t sleep a wink—got so broke up there’s nothing left of me but pieces!” (“Prudy’s Christmas”).
In 1897, Santa Claus states outright that he indeed has different heights at different times, but curiously, he states that he is shorter at home with his wife than when he is out delivering gifts.
No doubt you think me six feet, four,
And that I weigh a ton or more,
But when at home I’m rather small,
Not near so large nor half so tall
As when I visit girls and boys
And load them down with pretty toys (Santa Claus, Kriss Kringle or St. Nicholas).
A 1909 postcard appears to show Santa Claus as being so vanishingly small that he can walk along a holly leaf (“Greetings from Santa Claus”).
On a number of occasions in 1921 and 1922, Santa Claus is so small that he can hide inside a phonograph player (though he acknowledges it is a “tight squeeze”) (“Santa Claus Hides in Your Phonograph” and others).
“Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas,” by Clement Clarke Moore, The Troy Sentinel, vol. 1, no. 47, 23 Dec. 1823. (In the public domain.)
“Prudy’s Christmas,” by Sophie May (pseud. of Rebecca Sophia Clarke), The Little Pilgrim, vol. 11, no. 1, published 1863 with a cover date of Jan. 1864. (In the public domain.)
° Reprinted in book form with the title “Susy’s Christmas,” Sister Susy, ch. 3, 1863.
Santa Claus, Kriss Kringle or St. Nicholas, E. J. White & Co., 1897. (In the public domain.)
“Santa Claus Hides in the Talking Machine,” script by Arthur A. Penn for a phonographic recording recited by Victor Fletcher, [1921]. (In the public domain.)
° “Santa Claus Hides in the Talking Machine,” nearly identical script credited to Alan Brown for a recording recited by Ernest Hare, [1921]. Also released with the title “Santa Claus Hides in the Phonograph.” (In the public domain.)
° “Santa Claus Hides in the Talking Machine,” script by Arthur A. Penn for a recording recited by Irving Post, [1921]. (In the public domain.)
° “Santa Claus Hides in Your Phonograph,” script by Arthur A. Penn for a recording recited by Harry E. Humphrey, [1922]. (In the public domain.)
° “Santa Claus Hides in the Talking Machine,” script by Arthur A. Penn for a recording recited by Edward Lee (apparently Victor Fletcher), [1922]. (In the public domain.)
☝︎ Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas, painting by Robert Walter Weir, 1837. (In the public domain.)
☝︎ Illustration for “Prudy’s Christmas,” by Sophie May (pseud. of Rebecca Sophia Clarke), The Little Pilgrim, vol. 11, no. 1, published 1863 with a cover date of Jan. 1864. (In the public domain.)
☝︎ “The funny old gentleman,” illustration for Sister Susy, ch. 3, “Susy’s Christmas,” 1863. (In the public domain.)
☝︎ “Little Bo‐Peep Fell Fast Asleep, and Dreamt—,” cartoon by Thomas Nast, Harper’s Young People, vol. 1, no. 8, 23 Dec. 1879. (In the public domain.)
☝︎ Illustration (apparently signed E. Gaucher) for Santa Claus, Kriss Kringle or St. Nicholas, 1897. (In the public domain.)
☝︎ “Greetings from Santa Claus,” postcard design by Cobb Shinn, 1909. (In the public domain.)