See L.A. Chamber Bulletin 12/02/29 p1, 12/23/29 p3. Decorations for "Christmas Outdoors" promoted by the L.A. Chamber of Commerce. View 1 shows a young beauty climbing a ladder that has been placed next to a giant snowman decked with an equally giant top hat; it appears that she is about to place a pipe in his mouth. Although this famously cold character is ringing in the winter season, it is a sunny Southern California day and the young woman is comfortable wearing a dress and heels. It is said that the tradition of making snowmen dates back to at least the Middle Ages, when in Europe every new snowfall would find townsfolk making snowmen in the streets, using lumps of coal for eyes, carrots for the nose, sticks for the arms, and some people even going as far as dressing them with scarves, jackets and hats. Snowmen are usually made out of "packing snow" (when regular powder snow is nearing its melting point) instead of fresh "powdered snow", with the former being moist and compactable - the latter is unable to stick to itself. In this case, this particular gentleman was built using large pieces of white fabric over an unknown "stuffing"; four small Santa Claus figurines can be seen at its base. Snowmen are considered a symbol of Christmas and winter for many. Photographer's label indicates the location as Pasadena. Photo dated: December 20, 1929.
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