Coca-Cola Sundblom Santa

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Coca-Cola Sundblom Santa: Worlds vision of Santa Claus

Santa Claus, easily one of the world's most popular characters, also is one of the most mysterious. We know he lives at the North Pole with Mrs. Claus, and we know he and his elves load the sleigh each Christmas Eve for a marathon trip around the world, but little is known about his past.

Some historians believe the legend started in the fourth century, when Nicholas, the first Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), became known for his kindness to children and for his help to the needy.

As recently as 65 years ago, Santa Claus literally was a character of many dimensions. In numerous artistic renditions, Santa has been depicted as everything from a pixie to a leprechaun, sometimes even a frightening gnome.

But thanks in part to The Coca-Cola Company, the jolly fella has an image that is well known and enduring around the world today: plump man in a red suit and white beard who travels by reindeer and slips into homes through the chimney each Christmas Eve.

It was in 1931 that the world-wide Company commissioned American artist Haddon Sundblom to transform Santa Claus into a totally human, merry gentleman - with rosy, red cheeks and a handsome, white beard.

Popularly known as the "Sundblom Santa's," the series of Santa Claus oil paintings were used for a number of special Christmas advertisements for Coca-Cola, beginning in 1931 and carrying through the next six decades. Haddon Sundblom died in 1976, but the Company continues to display the Santa images in its holiday advertising and packaging.

"The Sundblom Santa is remarkable for several reasons, most notably because of the way Haddon Sundblom captured the essence of St. Nicholas," said Phil Mooney, archivist, "Sundblom created an enduring symbol, the spirit of Christmas, which Coca-Cola shares with the world through its packaging and advertising."

Courtesy News Canada

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