Last year I had the pleasure of delving into our extensive Christmas card collection for a talk, which I will be repeating this December at the British Postal Museum and Archive (BPMA). I’ll be discussing the inception in 1843 of the Christmas card as we know it today, and how the custom took off up to the mid-20th century.
Some of the cards really are works of art, produced using innovative printing and paper-cutting methods, paper lace, and embroidery. However, there will also be prime examples of Victorian gaudiness!
The touching messages, cheerful colours and spring-like floral embroidery of some of the first world war cards will reflect the role cards played in sustaining morale and providing comfort to soldiers and their girlfriends, wives and mothers back home.
BPMA archivist Anna Flood previews her upcoming talk on The History of the Christmas Card on the BPMA blog
Some of the cards really are works of art, produced using innovative printing and paper-cutting methods, paper lace, and embroidery. However, there will also be prime examples of Victorian gaudiness!
The touching messages, cheerful colours and spring-like floral embroidery of some of the first world war cards will reflect the role cards played in sustaining morale and providing comfort to soldiers and their girlfriends, wives and mothers back home.
BPMA archivist Anna Flood previews her upcoming talk on The History of the Christmas Card on the BPMA blog
