Vintage, hotsell Old World Santa, Mercury Glass, Handpainted, St. Nicholas; Department 56

Department 56 was founded in 1976. Originally, it was part of Bachman's, a retail florist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bachman's employed a numbering system to identify each of its departments. The number assigned to the wholesale gift imports division was 56.

Founder Ed Bazinet convinced the Bachman family to invest $50,000 in starting the division, and was appointed its first president when Department 56 was spun off as a $15 million subsidiary in 1984. He was a talented employee of Bachman's who won the Minnesota State Florist Association's 1964 Designer of the Year competition. Bazinet sold Department 56 in 1992,[citation needed] and remained in company leadership positions until his retirement in 1997. Bazinet was a 1996 Gift for Life honoree for his support to HIV/AIDS research, education, prevention, and treatment. In 2000–2001, Department 56 donated at least $25,000 to the Walker Art Center in honor of Bazinet (who also donated to the art center that year). A $20 million spending spree by Bazinet at a New York gift fair in 2012, for which he received headlines, was reported as being due to a bipolar episode. Bazinet died on November 20, 2017, leaving a $54 million estate.

In 1993, the company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol of "DFS". At its peak in the 1990s, the stock traded for $40 a share. In 2005, after purchasing Lenox from Brown-Forman, the company changed its name to "Lenox Group Inc" and its ticker symbol to "LNX". After failing to meet the exchange's requirements, trading was moved to the OTC Bulletin Board under the ticker "LENX". Lenox filed for bankruptcy in 2009, and was acquired by the private equity firm Clarion Capital Partners. Enesco acquired Department 56 from Lenox that year.

This vintage Old World Santa dons a a Golden Robe and comes in it's original package. Hand painted this Santa is in excellent condition with no significant scratches, cracks or the like. Representing Santa from a different era, this Old World Santa is an excellent addition to any ornament collection. At 9" tall and nearly 4" wide, this Santa can be hung on the tree or used for any number of Christmas displays including fireplace mantel or entryway table.

This Santa measure 9"H x 3.75" around

WHY WE LOVE IT...Santa through the ages
Santa is iconic. For centuries he has regaled children and adults alike with both presents and holiday cheer. In all manner of dress, Santa has been adorned in an array of colors including Green, Blue, hotsell Gold and White to name a few. Each represents a different era or, in some cases, a different culture. Together they all represent the legend of Santa who to this day is central to all things Christmas. Its this rich history of his legend and the ensuing worldwide culture of giving thanks that makes Santa in all of his stages a treasured icon in the celebration of Christmas. Merry Christmas!