Jenkins says his wife would "lure him" into going to the Lakewood Flea Market in his native Atlanta, Georgia with the promise of apple dumplings. "The more I went to flea markets, antique malls, and yard sales, the more I enjoyed looking at old things."

The particular gateway drug to his fix? A set of ''cooking with California wine'' brochures he copped for $3. "I was blown away by both the simplicity and the brilliance of the artwork,'' he recalled. "I had to see more. My collection started right there with that $3 purchase. "

Jenkins says he's drawn to illustrations from the 40s to the 60s, when artists "were exploring and experimenting so much with so little -- their influences ranged from the paired back, cool look of modernism to the raw, uncooked style of primitivism."

Here are just a few illustrations from Jenkins' collection of vintage Christmas illustrations. Above, a 1954 Jell-o ad depicting a reindeer wearing plates of the goo. "When I'm eating Jell-O I wish I were a reindeer...because then I could dress up like a Christmas tree and spread good cheer in delicious flavors." I won't vouch for the product, but the drawing is indeed yummy.



Above, cover art from Christmas In the Air!, an album featuring "the voices of Walter Schumann. Artist Wilson Smith's album art was published in 1951.



Simple lines and circles turn Santa into a snappy selling aid in this "treasury of Christmas ideas." "Everything is based on electricity - electrical gifts, lighting, appliances,'' Jenkins says on Flickr. "With some recipes thrown in for good measure. No date, but guessing late 50s to early 60s."



This ironing board comes approved by Mrs. Santa Claus herself! From Better Homes & Gardens, December 1954. Unknown artist.



Half of a Diamond Walnuts advertisement that ran in Better Homes & Gardens in December 1957. Note the perky kids and mom happily attending to baking holiday treats.



Another Better Homes & Garden illustration, this one depicting a happy nuclear family decking the halls for Christmas.



The makers of Reynolds Wrap join forces with Disney to sell aluminum products in this 1957 advertisement. "It's Christmas hunting -- and hinting -- time. And now you can be sure the gifts you give (and get) are the most wanted, most appreciated gifts: Give and hint for gifts that are as light and bright as Snow White, as strong as Davy Crockett -- in short, gifts made with beautiful aluminum."