THE INTERNATIONAL SANTA CLAUS COLLECTION SC21 ST. NICHOLAS

This is SC21 St. Nicholas of Czechoslovakia that was issued in 1996 as part of The International Santa Claus Collection.

 In Czechoslovakian families, the relationship of Saint Nicholas  to  the  religious  meaning  of  Christmas becomes crystal clear on December 5 th  each year.  On that night, called the Eve of Saint Nicholas, the Czechs believe Santa is lowered down from heaven on a golden cord.

 When Saint Nicholas arrives on Earth after this auspicious journey, his first job is to share the treats he has brought. On  his  back  he  bears  a  woven  basket  chock-full  of wonderful things to eat.  There are bright red apples, plump and shiny... hard candies and chocolates to savor... nuts of many  varieties.  Saint  Nicholas  circulates among  the children  delivering  these  savory  items—and  he  doesn\'t forget  the  farm  animals!    Every  horse,  cow  and  other barnyard friend gets apples, carrots, or whatever food each animal covets.

 The Czechs believe that Santa\'s visit on the Eve of Saint Nicholas will bring good luck—and it also serves as an official beginning for a glorious holiday season.  Throughout the days leading up to Christmas, Czechoslovakian families blend religious events with warmhearted family  traditions,  making  for  a  long  and  enjoyable  holiday  season.    Of  course,  Saint Nicholas—dressed in his bright red and white attire with a green vest and the ever-present \"heavenly golden cord\"—is always at the center, of the fun!

 Almost exactly 4½” tall this St. Nicholas figure with the long red fur trimmed cloak is similar to  that  of  Santa  Claus  in  many  other  countries.    However  there  are  some  features  that distinguish  St.  Nicholas  of  Czechoslovakia  from  others.   Immediately  noticeable  are  the prominent gold stars that decorate his belt buckle and also the lapels of his cloak. (The lapel stars have rays emanating from them.)  I suspect this star decoration derives from the same tradition  as  that  of  the  Star  Man  of  nearby  Poland.  Another  feature  that distinguishes this particular figure are the numerous bunches of green leaves with blue balls (berries? fruit?) that are trimmed with gold.  These appear on the ground around St. Nicholas, in his basket and in his pocket.