“Hands Up!” — Santa with Handgun (1912) — Will Crawford
Vintage mischief with a wink. This early 20th-century photomechanical print shows a deadpan Santa Claus holding a handgun—a tongue-in-cheek twist on holiday imagery rendered with crisp linework and poster-ready contrast. Bold, humorous, and unmistakably period.
Why it captivates
-
Playful satire — a subversive take on a familiar icon.
-
Graphic punch — strong contours and clean tonal blocks read across a room.
-
Authentic vintage feel — early print methods give a warm, tactile look.
-
Conversation starter — witty, offbeat wall art with historical charm.
-
Deco-era vibe — perfect for eclectic, retro, or minimalist spaces.
What you’ll see
A full-length Santa in coat and cap, arm extended with a pistol, delivering the title’s command—“Hands up!” The background stays simple so gesture, silhouette, and expression carry the joke. It’s period humour with sharp, collectible design.
A richer historical frame
Dated 1912, the piece reflects the era’s love of punchy graphic illustration and cheeky seasonal prints. American illustrator Will Crawford was known for clear draughtsmanship and satirical bite; here, he folds holiday iconography into a playful, theatrical vignette typical of turn-of-the-century print culture.
Choose your finish
🌟 Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)
Archival-grade, smooth matte stock ideal for framing under glass. Crisp detail, minimal glare.
💎 Laminated (True Encapsulation)
Sealed in 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate, edge-to-edge. Durable, wipe-clean—great for high-traffic spaces.
🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails (Ready to hang)
Lacquered natural timber rails with fitted hanging cord; no frame required.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.
🏆 Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)
Museum-quality texture with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for rich tone and smooth gradation.
🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails (Gallery-ready)
As above, supplied with lacquered natural timber rails and hanging cord.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.
Size (W × H)
776 × 841 mm (approx. 30.55 × 33.11 in)
-
Orientation: Portrait
-
Aspect ratio: ~0.92 : 1
-
Nearest standard frame: A1 (594 × 841 mm) — portrait
-
Framing tips:
-
Use an A1 frame with a custom mat window cut to ~772 × 837 mm (2–3 mm overlap).
-
Contemporary: float-mount in A1 to reveal the sheet edge and create a clean shadow gap.
-
Custom sizing: Available on request (alternative aspect ratios or added white border).
Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | “Hands Up!” — Santa with Handgun |
| Artist | Will Crawford |
| Date | 1912 |
| Medium | Photomechanical print |
| Print Size | 776 mm (W) × 841 mm (H) |
| Available Finishes | Paper, Laminated, Laminated + Timber Hang Rails, Canvas, Canvas + Timber Hang Rails |
| Paper Weight | 160 gsm archival matte |
| Laminate | 2 × 80-micron gloss (true encapsulation) |
| Canvas Weight | 395 gsm HP Professional Matte Canvas |
| Inks | Pigment-based, fade-resistant |
| Optional Hang Rails | Natural timber, lacquered; fitted hanging cord (allow up to 10 working days) |
| Origin | Printed in Australia |
Who it’s for
-
Vintage-poster fans & graphic-arts lovers
-
Collectors of early American illustration
-
Designers & stylists seeking bold, witty focal points
-
Gift-givers with a taste for offbeat holiday classics
Our Commitment
Every print is produced locally in Australia on premium substrates with careful colour management, then checked and packed by hand so it arrives ready to impress. From studio to wall, we stand behind the craftsmanship and historical integrity of your piece.
Add a dash of cheeky vintage cheer—order your “Hands Up!” — Santa with Handgun print today.
