Spaceman Discovers Christmas (1958)

 

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas! I am doing this post back in June 2025 so I am hoping the world is a happier and safer place in December 2025. It has been a little while since I found a book worth of a Christmas post. This one does not have a lot of spaceships or rockets. It was a giveaway at Ben Franklin Dept. stores.

It is the story of a Martian who wants to find out what Christmas is and research if they might want to export it to Mars. It is only an OK story but an old theme. It seems like "Mars Needs Holidays!" since I have heard many stories like this.

Including of course the famous movie "Santa Claus Conquers The Martians." (1964). So your Christmas present this year is this free movie:

https://youtu.be/L4SZyeUGSM4?si=ZpuNxrhfGe0ZgAWg

Spaceman Discovers Christmas.  (Premium, Ben Franklin Store). New York, NY: Promotional Publishing. (16 p.) 1958. BOX 05

A Trip to Outer Space with Santa (1952)

Always grab the good stuff even if it is in poor condition. I had not seen this comic before and having been saving it for my Christmas post this year.  It has been a very long and complicated year for me with many joys and disappointments.  But the holidays are finally here and life seems to be settling down.

Here are my past Xmas postings:

The Moon Christmas Coloring Book (1970)
http://dreamsofspace.blogspot.com/2012/01/moon-christmas-coloring-book-1970.html

Woolworth's Jolly Christmas Book (1951)
http://dreamsofspace.blogspot.com/2012/01/moon-christmas-coloring-book-1970.html

A Trip to Outer Space with Santa was a 1952 department store give-away. A department store could print their own logo on a comic and give it to their customers.

The story is very simple (maybe the inspiration for Santa Claus vs the Martians?) where Santa needs to go to Mars.



Santa seems to have a lot of problems getting the toys made so Mars seems like a logical solution.  Since space flight was trendy among children at the time, the comics has a space game in the middle about the journey to Mars.

The drawings show the Buck Rogers future is on Mars. The other thing that charms me about this item is the space suits and Santa ship. Here is your own Christmas ornaments!  Illustrations you can (print-out) and cut-out to make your own explorer and ship.

Santa finds what he needs on Mars, (imported labor) and I love the  Martians with jet packs heading home.





I hope you have a grand holiday and are with those you love.  I will see you again in 2013 with more cool space stuff.

The Moon Christmas Coloring Book (1970)

 

Here is another favorite rescanned since it's last posting 11 years ago. It was a coloring book that was a give-away from Lord and Taylor's Department stores. With it's moon dust snowflakes and 1970s design it is a winner every Christmas.  I especially enjoy how Santa has to get into shape and be briefed on his mission to the Moon.

Merry Christmas on the Moon (and on Earth too...) to you all! Thanks for sticking with the mission.

The Moon Christmas Coloring Book. London: Lord and Taylors Dept. Store. (19 p.) 1970

The Moon Christmas Coloring Book (1970)

OK I really missed my Christmas post this year but who doesn't send out Christmas cards late once in a while?  But it is really never too late for a unique item.

 While only a minimal plot, this 1970 coloring book highlights how Santa Claus is recruited to save Chrstmas for the men on the moon.

 I like the details in the illustrations, and almost see this as lost storyboards from some late 60s Christmas special.

 Of course Santa can't just go to the moon. He needs training first.

 I am not sure if the spacesuit is airtight if he can't close his visor over his beard. Maybe that's why we saw few bearded astronauts :)

 Chistmas comes to the Moon. Think of the cost per pound for the tree they brought (and you thought your tree was expensive!)

 And the moral is simple, if we can put [anything] on the Moon we can [do anything]

There is very little information about the author except this final page (can it really say: Lord & Taylor?). Good luck finding your own copy.

I hope your holiday were wonderful and the return to work or school hasn't been too bad. Happy 2012!