A single horizontal vignette sits low in the frame, with generous empty kraft-paper space around it. An elderly, long-bearded Santa in a soft cap and long coat leans forward in an ornate Victorian sleigh, reins in both hands, a heavy gift sack piled high behind him. Two antlered reindeer in harness gallop to the left, legs tucked, drawn in fine hatching.

There is no light source; form comes entirely from the density of ink hatching and cross-hatching, with stippled shadow on the sleigh, sack and coat. Worn, uneven ink, tiny flecks and fibers in the paper give it the soft, aged feel of an old woodcut stamp or storybook page.