santa claus – Manchester Historian

Santa Claus is the beloved figure of Christmas; his iconic look of a large man with a portly belly, wearing a red coat and hat, with a big white beard is recognised across the world. However, this holiday figure hasn’t always been pictured the way he is today and his origin is a complex story Continue Reading

Haddon Sundblom was the artist who created the iconic Coca Cola Santa Claus in 1931. Inspired by Dr Peter Yeadle’s third year module, Popular Imperialism and Popular Culture, Ben Beach explores the man who, for many, defined early twentieth century advertising illustration.

The commercialisation of Christmas is often lamented as one of the great tragedies of the twentieth century. Michael Cass and James Eatwell examine where this process began and follow it through to the present day.