Guest Krampus!

artist : Chris Buzelli

Happy Valentine's Day from krampus

Happy Valentine's Day from Krampus blog!!

I received this last Christmas. It's from 1931 Austria. One of the few in my collection. Both from Austria and depicting a Krampus romancing a human female. Oh, those Austrians really know how to get unerlaubt.

The Krampus League Europe

Here are seven different mythical characters that I decided to research and design on my own (originally showcased at my sketchblog). These delightfully nefarious characters have been ignored in our nation (save for the Appalachians - via Appalachian History ) ever since we developed that Santa Claus character for Coca-Cola. I understand why they never were brought overseas to the land of the marketing dollar. I mean, unless there was strong investment demand in the early 1900's for birch twigs and whips (I'm pretty sure there wasn't).

List of names and geography:

• Krampus (Austria or Hungary)

• Black Peter (Zwarte Piet) (Netherlands and Belgium)

• Knecht Ruprecht (German)

• Belsnickle (Appalachia via Southwestern Germany)

• Kallikantzaros (Greek)

• Perchta or Berchta (Southern Germanic and Alpine region)

• Le Pere Fouettard (The Whipping Father) (French)

I will be designing, at least, two more mythical characters from the old world some time in a future post (notably: Gryla from Iceland and Namahage from Japan). For now, I hope you will be happy with these splendid freaks of whimsy*.

There were even more of these characters, but some were so similar in location and description that I didn't bother to design. I also didn't have enough information to feel comfortable in depicting them accurately. If there are more characters you would like to see that you know of from YOUR little corner of the world, please feel free to contact me with the information and I'd be happy to add them to the list for next year's pinup.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, followers! Be good.

*most of the information was obtained through Wikipedia unless otherwise noted.

More Krampus postcards from olden times

THIS JUST IN: The previous post (and this one) feature postcards from the Czech Republic. My guess is anywhen from the early '20s to the late 1930s. These scans showcase a different artist from the previous. One that pops up in a few of my older posts (like THIS ONE). I like the whimsical style in these. The Krampus seems to be depicted as a cross-dressing elf rather than a straight-up devildude.

My latest Classic Krampus cards

These have been added to my collection. I received them yesterday. I have no idea what year or the exact location. Any help is appreciated. Thanks and I hope you had a goodly day.

More to come…

Krampus on Infinite Earths

My buddy Andrew Devitt sent me this image. I love this so much. That is, if I believed in loving something that doesn't exist. Which seems par for the course this time of year.

You can see more of the artwork directly after this sentence.

SOURCE

The Solstice Celebration for Dilettante Pagans

This link from The New York Times was sent to me from my father-in-law. It's a Bohemian Spritz and it comes with a certain holiday demon cheer. I may try this, actually. The other drinks looked good, too but they didn't have that certain krampus-may-care flare.

If you decide to try it, please let me know what you think in the comments section. I'm intrigued.

LINK