As children around the world eagerly await a visit from Santa Claus and the gifts he leaves behind, it’s fun to see how the Jolly Old Elf was depicted in times past. These antique Santa figures, displayed at The Elms every holiday season, were made from around 1870 to 1910 in Germany, Russia and the United States. Like most such objects in those pre-plastic times, they are made from cloth, felt, cardboard, papier mâché and wood. Several of them hold pine branches, which remain a symbol of Christmas but have largely been taken out of Santa’s hands in modern times. There is not a sack of toys to be seen, although there is one sleighful. One of the figures looks more like a peddler than St. Nick, with an array of pots and cups, toys and trinkets hanging from his costume. And a couple of them are dressed in wizard-like blue robes rather than the familiar red coat. The collection is a gift from Mrs. Margaret Berwind Schiffer. Don’t wait too long to see it – The Elms will close for the wi...