Prop, Theatrical
Object number2015.99.2 a,b
Datec. 1989
MediumWood/Paint/Metal/Plastic/Paper/Adhesive/Rubber/Fabric/Leather
Credit LineGift of Macy's Inc.
DescriptionNorth Pole mailbox prop with deposited mail contents including letters from children to Santa Claus.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 48 × 25.5 × 23.875 in. (121.9 × 64.8 × 60.6 cm)InscriptionsPart a:
Left and right sides have white decal text "NORTH POLE / MAIL".
Black rubber cord has handwritten black text on each side "MAILBOX / ELF" and raised text amongst the pronged face "EAGLE / USA / 5-15P / 15A 125V".
Below the bottom slot on the backside is white decal text that only partially remains "...2...K..."
Part b:
Some letters and notes have handwritten text. Some letters and notes have printed text.
Historical NotesThis mailbox was used at Santa Land at the Kaufmann's downtown location. It is part of a large collection of artifacts that document the downtown location of Kaufmann’s (later Macy’s) department store. This large collection of items was gathered from the downtown location of Macy’s (formerly Kaufmann’s) after the store’s final closing was announced in the fall of 2015.Label TextThe mailbox once stood in Macy’s (Kaufmann’s) downtown to collect children’s gift requests to Santa. The tradition of sending letters to Santa started in the 1870s, although at first the U.S. Postal Service returned them as “undeliverable.” In the 1900s, charitable groups started gathering some of the letters. Santa mailboxes began appearing in local communities. When department stores became a headquarters for Santa visits, mailboxes for Santa letters also became part of the tradition.
Related institution
Children's Very Own Gift Shop
Related institution
Kaufmann's Department Store
(1871 - 2005)
On View
Not on view
1881
