Jim Butcher (American, B. 1944) "Santa Claus" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Great Britain 11.5p Santa Claus stamp issue of November 18, 1981. Christmas is a magical time when children reveal their fondest desires. They place their infinite childhood faith in the mail, dreaming of a snowy Pony Express between the warm hearth of their home and the frozen tip-top of the world. The very holiday atmosphere tingles with anticipation of wishes that might come true ... little girls ask for ponies and little boys dream of rockets they can fly to the moon. The joyous magic of Santa Claus is powerful indeed. At Christmas time the world is Santa's province; he knows his territory better than astrologers or meteorologists and knows each child by name and age. And good children everywhere are made even better by the knowledge that Santa is watching. Even sensible adults are caught up in the spirit of what might be. For at Christmas it is possible to hear the jingle of sleigh bells on an endless night of waiting as the moon shines big and bright in the sky. With crisp, sparkling snow covering the ground, Santa Claus cracks his whip and speeds away into the quiet world beyond. His big, roomy sleigh is filled to overflowing with huge sacks of toys. And jolly old Santa laughs, whistles and sings for joy. For in all his merry life this is the one day of the year he is happiest -- the day he lovingly bestows the treasures of his workshop upon the little children of the world. Image Size: 12 x 14 in. Overall Size: 18.5 x 20 in. Unframed. (B06199)