In 1843 John Horsley was commissioned to create a Christmas card for Sir Henry Cole (the first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum) because he did not have the time to write all of his friends as he had done in previous years.
The cards were created on lithographs and hand-colored. The first card was supposed to have depicted poor people being fed and clothed but instead Horsley created a family party in progress showing a child sipping wine. The original intent was to remind Sir Henry’s friends of the great needs for the persons in poverty during this season. Instead it caused an uproar for “fostering the moral corruption of children”.
It is said that Sir Henry did not send out any cards following that year but Christmas cards were already on their way. The first year 1000 cards went on sale in London for one shilling each.
It didn’t take long for Christmas cards to evolve from religious in nature to patriotic themes. Cards have been made with luxurious ribbons, silks, satins, and fringe to shapes, pop ups, metal, puzzles, and even ones that make noise. Christmas cards have been used to pay tribute to gardens and cultures, the old and the new.
As we make our cards, it really is amazing to think of the first cards and their significance to our history. And to think it was all just to save a little time.
Check out some of these other related sites
Scrapbooking newspaper clippings
customized scrapbook lettering
Embossing with Stencil and stylus
History of Christmas Ornaments
Chair decorations for the holiday
Ornaments to use or give as gifts
gift bags for the kids to make
Emotioncards.com
Victoriana.com
Fabulousstationary.com
e-cards.com
Chatsworth.com
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