It came free with a prescription, and now it's a collector's piece: a 1950s promotional carol book from Garland's Drug Store with a Joe Tillotson cover.
Illustrated by: Joe Tillotson
Music & Lyrics: Various traditional carols
Publisher: Amalgamated Lithographers of America, Chicago, IL
Copyright: c. 1953–late 1950s (unmarked)
Format: Softcover, 12 songs
Dimensions: 8⅛" x 5⅛"
Condition: Excellent — no tears, folded pages, or writing; colors remain vibrant. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.
Carols for Christmas was a promotional songbook given away by Garland's Drug Store in the Roanoke, Virginia area in the early 1950s — one of countless small holiday gestures that businesses offered their customers during the golden age of mid-century advertising. It contains 12 songs, and its cover art alone makes it worth keeping. Exceedingly rare in this condition.
A charming gift for the Christmas collector, the ephemera enthusiast, or anyone who loves the quiet warmth of old holiday things.
This one was published by the Amalgamated Lithographers of America (Chicago, 1915–1964) and illustrated by Joe Tillotson (1905–1959), whose cover art is the reason so many collectors keep these little books.
Browse our shop for more vintage Christmas songbooks and holiday ephemera to round out your collection.
