A Very McWhirters Christmas (1951)

Advertisement from Brisbane Telegraph, November 22, 1951

On November 23, 1951, Santa officially arrived at Brisbane's McWhirters department store to mark the opening of the Christmas retail season. McWhirters had proclaimed itself "the home of Santa Claus" with the man in red occupying the third floor along with his pixies Smiley, Nosey, Grampy and Tubby. Other attractions for children included a merry-go-round and a model electric railway.

McWhirters' catalogue : Xmas 1951 - Cover. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

For the serious shopper McWhirters published a Christmas gift catalogue with a tempting assortment of products including lingerie, handkerchiefs, nylons, plastic tablecloths, toys, Christmas confectionery and books.

McWhirters' catalogue : Xmas 1951 pg2. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

McWhirters' catalogue : Xmas 1951 pg11. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

McWhirters' catalogue : Xmas 1951 pg31. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

McWhirters' catalogue : Xmas 1951 pg14. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

McWhirters' catalogue : Xmas 1951 pg39. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

State Library of Queensland have digitised McWhirters 1951 Christmas Gift Catalogue which can be viewed online via our One Search catalogue.

Myles Sinnamon - Project Coordinator, State Library of Queensland