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Santa Claus Collectibles

"Santa. What child doesn't love this generous character?" asks Collectible Treasures host Sharon Anderson. Children have adored the generous gift-giver for centuries and because of this, he's been commemorated in every kind of decoration and toy imaginable.

Collector Phil Henderson seeks out the old, more stern-looking Santas. Here's a sample from his collection:

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Jovial St. Nick
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Santa Claus has been adored by children for generations, as this image denotes.

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Early on, Santa was recognized as a slim figure with a stern face.
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In the 1930s, Coca-ColaTM advertisements popularized the jolly old elf Santa we recognize today.

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This Santa has a secret. The head of his reindeer lifts off to reveal a candy container.
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This rare Santa has a bisque face and cotton batting suit.

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Large candy-container Santas such as the one pictured here on the left were usually store displays. The Santa in the car on the right is also a candy container. The trunk and hood of the car open to reveal candy galore. These collectibles are valued at between $4,000 to $5,000.
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A purple suit makes this collectible pull-toy Santa even more rare. He rides on a donkey which has a ring-pull noisemaker.

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Santa, in early times, arrived in German cities on a donkey, so the legend goes. This Santa is also a pull toy. The donkey is a "nodder."
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This Roly-Poly Santa was made by a Philadelphia manufacturer in the late 1800s to early 1900s. He came in various sizes.

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Games and puzzles are another fun category of Henderson's Santa collection. Most were made by American companies and are prized for their gorgeous lithography. Value for these range from $500 to $2,000--with all the pieces, of course.
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This moving picture is one of Henderson's favorites. It features an automated family enjoying Christmas morning. It is powered by a clock movement. What makes it a Santa collectible? Every few seconds, Santa's head makes an appearance in the window at the upper left.

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Here's a close up of the moving picture in action.
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Santa appears in the window of the moving picture every few seconds.
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The Glow newsletter
Golden Glow of Christmas Past
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