In 1962, while still living in Manitou Springs, Robert Simpich crafted what is believed to be his very first attempt at a Simpich Santa. The elusive “Manitou Santa” is so rare that its true history remains wrapped in mystery—no one knows whether more than one was ever made, or if any examples have survived to this day.

That early experiment marked the quiet beginning of a legacy. Over the next fifteen years, Robert continued to explore and refine different concepts and designs, searching for the spirit and form that would eventually define the Simpich Santa. Yet no piece reached completion until 1977, when the first official Simpich Santa emerged—ushering in a new era for the Simpich Character Dolls and setting the stage for decades of beloved Christmas artistry.

The 1990s:

Following the success of Santa with Toy Bag and Santa Takes a Break, Bob and Jan Simpich entered the 1990s with a renewed sense of creativity and momentum. Their early Santa designs had struck a chord with collectors, revealing just how much room there was to explore the character’s warmth, whimsy, and storytelling potential.

Throughout the decade, the Simpich workshop became a place of artistic curiosity, where the Christmas icon was re-imagined again and again—sometimes playfully, sometimes reverently, always with the unmistakable hand-crafted charm that defined the Simpich style. New Santas appeared with fresh poses, richer costuming, and deeper narrative touches, each one expanding the world that Bob and Jan had begun shaping years before.

By the end of the 1990s, the Simpich Santa had grown far beyond a single figure. It had become a series, a tradition, and a cornerstone of the Simpich legacy—laying the foundation for the ambitious designs that would follow in the years to come.1990s.

The 2,000s:

As the final years of the Doll Shop approached, a renewed creative energy swept through the studio—one that brought the Simpich Santas back to the forefront of artistic focus. During this period, Bob Simpich continued to refine and expand the collection with fresh ideas and deeper narrative detail, while David Simpich stepped into the design process as well, contributing his own imaginative interpretations of the beloved Christmas figure.

What emerged from these closing years was nothing short of remarkable. Some of the most iconic and sought-after Simpich creations—pieces that define not only the Santa Collection, but the entire legacy of the Simpich Character Dolls—were born during this time. These final designs capture a sense of mastery, storytelling, and craftsmanship that had been decades in the making, standing as a testament to the family’s enduring artistry even as the workshop’s chapter drew to a close.

The End of the Line:

The End of the Line Santa, created by Robert Simpich, stands as a symbolic farewell to collectors around the world. Designed during the final days of the Doll Shop, this piece carries a poignancy unlike any other—a quiet acknowledgement that an era of handcrafted storytelling was drawing to a close.

Remembered as the very last Simpich Character Doll ever created, End of the Line Santa represents both a culmination and a benediction: a graceful nod to decades of artistry, imagination, and the thousands of families who welcomed Simpich creations into their homes. It remains one of the most meaningful pieces in the entire collection, a final chapter lovingly shaped by the artist who began the journey so many years before.