Sundblom circle - sundblom studio

A group of illustrators working for Haddon Sundblom (1899-1976) in Chicago during the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. They were distinctive because of creating some of the images that remain in the collective memories of people living in that era such as the Santa Claus in the Coca Cola ads. Sundblom was the leading commercial art illustrator in Chicago, and had presitigious clients such as Coca Cola, Cashmere Bouquet, Maxwell House, Proctor and Gamble and Colgate. The original business was named Sundblom and Anderson and was located at 840 North Michigan Avenue. Other locations were 510 North Dearborn and on Ontario Street. Among those illustrators around him were Howard Terpning, Charles R. Showalter, Pearl Frush, Waler Parke, Chuck Miller, Don Buhrman, Morgan Kane and Dick Thompson. As a group they worked together in that one artist did the initial work, and others then contributed finishing touches. Sources: John F. Showalter, M.D., 'The Life and Art of Charles R. Showalter', "Illustration" magagine, Spring, 2006; Robert E. Olsen, 'The Rediscovery of Charles R. Showalter', "Illustration" magazine, Spring 2006, pp. 25-44. (LPD)