commercialism – Manchester Historian

As department stores, supermarkets and other retailers grapple for the best Christmas advert, Alex Hulmes looks back to the original form of marketing at Christmas time: the shop window.

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.