English Christmas Cards
In England with the arrival of steam trains and the ability to transport mail cheaper than by horse and carriage, letters could be sent for one penny. It is generally accepted that the first Christmas cards were developed in 1843 by the three year old British Postal Service as a method of encouraging the use of the mail service. If the Christmas card greeting was sent in an unsealed envelope it could be sent for half a penny, which made it popular with the English population and the new tradition of Christmas Card sending then spread worldwide.
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AT HOME in the NURSERY. or
The Masters & Mifses Twoshoes Christmas Party
From London's Victoria and Albert Museum comes this recreation of George Cruikshank's etching originally published in 1826.
The greeting inside the cards says;
Christmas and New Year Greetings.
Size 8"x 6.25" with white envelope,
Cello wrapped.
Priced $2.50 each
The next cards from the V.& A. are with Christmas /New Year greetings but are somewhat unrelated to the holidays, making them an interesting and unusual card to send.
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HAWKING
This romantic card, depicts a couple on horse back, maybe in the pursuit of hunting with a hawk. This image comes from The Playfair Book of Hours. which was made in France in the late 15th century.
The greeting inside is Happy Christmas
White envelope. Cello wrapped.
Size is 5.75 x 4 inches Priced at $2.50
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Two Indian images make interesting Holiday cards. The greeting is;
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
On the left, is Princess riding in a howdah. Decan, early 18th century.
The card measures 4 x 6 inches, has a white envelope and is cello wrapped.
On the right, Raja Durjan Sal (1724-1756) of Kotash,
with attendants, shooting lions. Rajasthan c. 1770
The card measures 5 x 6.25 inches, has a white envelope and is cello wrapped.Priced at $2.50 each
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The greeting to this cards is;
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Flowers and butterfly (c.1860-1870)
Chinese export watercolor.
Sized at 5.5 x3.5 inches
with white envelope, cello wrapped
The greeting to this cards is; A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.Interior scene (c.1820-1840)Chinese export watercolor.Sized at 5.0 x3.5 incheswith white envelope, cello wrapped
The English Santa has featured on Christmas cards for since the early 1900's. the following group were painted by graphic artist, Hilary McManus in the 1970. Likened to Matisse, she favored bold bright designs.
Each card has the message
Merry Christmas
and a
Happy New Year
Card size 4.5 x 6.5 inches
White envelopes, cello wrapped.
5 cards for $10
The following group are for our many cat lovers
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The greeting inside is Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Card size 4.5 x 6.5 inchesWhite envelopes, cello wrapped.4 cards for $8.00