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December, 2018 The Antique Shoppe Page 35
Santa Claus! Kirschhof’s Juvenile Police Whistle

Continued from Page 18
By Larry LeMasters

LeMasters’ Antique News Service
entrances via chimney, referred
to Santa as a “right jolly old elf”. Most collectors were children once, which
Early illustrations accompanying must be why antique toys interest so many
Moore’s poem accented Santa’s people. While there are all types of antique
gnomish, elf-like appearance. toys, cross collectible toys probably attract
(Moore is said to have based the the most collectors since more fields of
characterization on his right jolly
old handyman, Jay Duyckinck.) collecting are involved.
The image of a roly-poly, Kirschhof of Newark, New Jersey, made
human-sized gent in red suit one of the few children’s police whistles
and fluffy white beard, came ever produced, making it an instant cross-
courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar Brad Keeler’s Santa in sleigh, 8” h., $40-50. collectible. Manufactured in 1915, the
illustrator Thomas Nast, in the
1860s. That visual, refined since Juvenile Police whistle was made of tin, and
then in countless Coca-Cola ads and booms out “Ho, ho, ho! I’m Santa!” (As if allowed both boys and girls to play “good
Ideals magazine covers, is essentially introductions were really needed!) cop/bad cop.”
“Santa” as we recognize him today. No matter how many Santas you The concept of a child’s police whistle
Stores jumped on Santa’s sleigh as collect, you’ll never run out of options. stems from a social movement in the early
early as the No matter how
1820s. In 1841, much time you 20th century to look at children as “Citizens
a life-size Santa have, you’ll in the Making.” In his essay of the same
figure in a always need name (published by National Magazine, Vol.
Philadelphia more. Because 41, Page 1009), attorney Clarice Baright 1915 tin toy child’s
shop window no matter suggested that every city in America needed police whistle produced
attracted how jolly your by Kirschhof of Newark,
hordes of eager latest white- a juvenile police force made up of “boy and NJ. This whistle is valued
youngsters, who bearded, girl” cops. Over time, the concept fell away. at $200.
dragged along red-suited But remnants of it can still be seen in items
their toy-buying acquisition, like Kirschhof’s children’s police whistle.
parents, much the next one One thing for certain, back in 1915 if one of your friend’s started
to the owner’s might be even
delight. Live jollier! blowing on his Juvenile Police whistle, you were probably headed
department Time to downtown to juvenile detention. Cops and friends back in ’15 took
store Santas start making crime seriously.
soon followed, that list (and Today, whistle collectors, toy collectors, police equipment collectors,
as did “Letters checking it and history collectors all look for items as unique and interesting as a
to Santa”, those twice.)
annual wish lists Juvenile Police whistle. This whistle appears to be unique since no other
which turned MERRY children’s or juvenile police whistles have been found. There aren’t
such tiny towns CHRISTMAS! many around though, which fully explains the $200 price for them on
as “Santa Claus, Santa Claus, as baby-boomers remember secondary markets.
Indiana” into
postal Meccas. him: a treeful of smiling Santas graces
For collectors the cover of Ideals, 1950 holiday edition.
of Christmas
memorabilia, Photo Associate: Hank Kuhlmann
there’s a boundless treasure trove of
Santa depictions to choose from. There Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of
are Santa figurines. Santa bubble lights. numerous books on design and collectibles,
including “Postwar Pop”, a collection of his
Plastic wall Santas. Some Santas even columns. Please address inquiries (or cookies and
talk: push the button, and a merry voice milk) to: donaldbrian@msn.com

Tear sheet from Clarice Baright’s article “Citizens in the Making.”

Six-piece wood Santa band, each figure 1-3/4” h., $15-20/set.