A Magical, Retro Christmas Courtesy of Disney Animator Ralph Hulett

Ralph Hulett Christmas Card Illustrations

Ralph Hulett Vintage Christmas Card Illustrations will immerse you in the whimsical and enchanting world of mid-century holiday art and design. Here are over 35 illustrations by the late Ralph Hulett, one of Disney’s most prolific background animators from 1946-1973.

Ralph Hulett Christmas Card Illustrations

santa wall coming soon Ralph Hulett

Watercolorist Ralph Hulett (1915-1974) was hired by the Walt Disney Studios to work on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs when he was still in college.

Ralph Hulett AC artist info

After graduating from the Chouinard Art Institute, for which he was awarded a full four year scholarship, he went to work full-time at Disney until his early death in 1974 at the young age of 58. There the Illinois-born and California raised artist created the backgrounds for several of Disney’s most famous animated shorts and features including Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, Bambi, Song of the South, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmations and The Jungle Book.

From 1949 to the time of his death, Hulett also also painted Christmas card designs for the California Artists greeting card company.

vintage midcentury modern christmas cards

illustrator Ralph Hulett
above: Stationery stores would have these large albums of Hulett’s illustrated cards like this one from 1958. They would be available for those who came in to order their cards pre-printed with their names and greetings.

These cards – several of which I’m thrilled to share with you –  reflect the look and feel of the beloved animated Disney movies from the 40s, 50s and 60s. The themes are what you might expect, ranging from the religious imagery to sleds, Santa and snow covered trees. He also had a fondness for Siamese cats.

Ralph Hulett Christmas Card Illustrations

ralph hulett christmas cards

noel sled, Ralph Hulett

ralph hulett christmas cards

vintage ralph hulett christmas cards

ralph hulett christmas illustrations

ralph hulett christmas cards

ralph hulett christmas cards

mid-century modern christmas illustrations

ralph hulett christmas cards

vintage MCM christmas

vintage illustrations by Ralph Hulett

ralph hulett christmas cards

ralph hulett christmas cards

ralph hulett christmas cards

ralph hulett christmas cards

ralph hulett christmas cards

ralph hulett disney artist

disney artist ralph hulett

ralph hulett christmas cards

vintage ralph hulett christmas cards

ralph hulett christmas cards

ralph hulett christmas cards

christmas illustrations

vintage ralph hulett christmas cards

ralph hulett christmas cards

collection of ralph hulett christmas cards

I’m so enamored of his work, I’ve created a Pinterest board with over 80 of his illustrations, so you can see more.

The images in this post are from the Ralph Hulett estate and courtesy of his son, Steve Hulett who has diligently and generously shared his father’s beautiful Christmas Card illustrations for several years on the Animation Guild Blog.

Merry Christmas!

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