Granddaddy of the 'Elf on the Shelf'?

Kathy writes: This was on the tree when I was little. Thanks to my cousin Tish, I now realize that he must be the granddaddy of the very popular "Elf on the Shelf." Unlike his descendants, he never has caused any mischief!"

Tish adds: "The Elf on the Shelf is a children's book written in 2005. I think a little elf like this one might have been the inspiration for the story!"

Tish took this photo of her elf friend, Noel, after an early-December snowfall.