A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-24,25,26-03 ~ Let Us Rejoice

Billie

[Billie]

(The following excerpts are from Better Homes & Gardens 1993
"Holiday Celebrations"; information & Christmas Cards furnished
by Hallmark Cards, Inc.)

Although the Christmas season has been celebrated for centuries, it wasn't until the last half of the 19th century that printed cards were widely exchanged. Until that time, only a few people sent hand-written Christmas messages - those who could read and write, and afford to pay a messenger. This changed in the mid-1800s, when many people were learning to read and write through free public schools.

The passage of the Penny Postage Act in England in 1840 finally put the price of mailing letters within almost everyone's reach.

The idea of Christmas cards came only three years after England's postal reform. Henry Cole, a London businessman, originated the practice in 1843 when he asked John Calcott Horsley, an artist in the Royal Academy, to design a card conveying his Christmas wishes. The card is believed to be the first commercially-printed Christmas card.

The first-known Christmas card, designed in 1843 by British
artist John Horsley. Only a dozen specimens of the first card
are known to exist. Two of these, including one that has never
been used, are part of the Hallmark Historical Collection in
Kansas City, Missouri.

Several of England's early greeting card companies were established in the 1860s. Cards manufactured from 1860 theough the 1890s by Publisher Charles Goodall & Son and other English competitors - Marcus Ward & Co., De La Rue & Co., and Raphael Tuck & Co. (later called Raphael Tuck & Sons) - are highly sought by collectors because of their limited availability. These cars were exported to the United States and are usually as easy to find here as the domestic cards of the same period.

Sending holiday greeting cards was slow to spread to America. For more than 30 years, the only ones available in this country were imported. Then in 1875, German immigrant Louis Prang, of Boston, began publishing an American version of the popular English missives. By 1881, only six years after the production of his first Christmas cards, Prang was printing 5 million cards a year - most of them Christmas cards. In order to acquire excellent designs, he sponsored contests for artists, with prizes up to $4,000!

Louis Prang, the "father of the American Christmas card",
published this sweet child gracing the cover of a collection
of hymns in 1888.

Prang is credited with establishing card designs with which
we're familiar today. His cards were works of art, often
incorporating as many as 20 different colors.

In the 1890s, the penny-postcard craze hit America, and soon inexpensive German-made postcards flooded the market. Although the cards were crude, the price was right. Until World War I, Germany monopolized the business.

This penny postcard, published in Germany in 1909, features
robins - popular because, according to legend, a small brown
bird fanned a fire to keep the Christ child warm. During the
vigil, the bird's breast was seared scarlet.

The modern greeting card industry began in the early 1900s with the birth of such companies as Hallmark Cards (then known as Hall brothers, Inc.), Rustcraft, Buzza, and American Greetings. Even during the Depression, printed greetings were popular. Money was scarce, so many people sent cards instead of gifts.

World War II shortages curtailed the paper supply. Giltter became more scarce than gold, but still greeting cards survived. The cards became very patriotic - the use of the flag was popular, and even often carried by Santa. Special cards were created for soldiers overseas. "Across the miles" and "Missing you" sentiments reflected the somber reality of the day.

The American flag and the Statute of Liberty are united
for freedom in this inspiring 1942 greeting card.

The Christmas card custom has weathered war, economic turmoil, and social changes spanning well over a century. It serves the timeless human need to stay close, to share special thoughts with friends far and near during our most cherished holiday seasons.

Cards have come a long way since 1843. Designs are more sophisticated; production processes have been refined. But the message on that first Christmas card is as relevant today as it was then ..... "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you".

From all of us to all of you, it is our wish that this Christmas is your best one yet; that your blessings are many; your loved ones are with you; and most of all, that Christ is in your heart.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-22-03 Military Monday 12-23-03 Christmas Music

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45Man
at
danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[TexasCowboy]

Now you had to bring up the Forrester Sisters!
My gosh! I haven't heard them in a looooong time!

Another reason for the demise of the horny toad was that people were catching them and selling them up north for big bucks.
I think it's still against the law in Texas to take them out of the state.

(You can hide yours, Spookie!)

[Aquamarine]

What a sweet looking donkey. Now that's one original gift. :)

[Libertina]

Thank you Billie, for the beautiful globe! How lovely this season has been this year. My family, new boss, and friend went to see the Singing Christmas Tree presentation this weekend and will head out in about 10 minutes for our family get together at my brother and sister in law's home, then church. I have a LOT to be thankful for - and for all my Finest friends as well :) Merry, merry Christmas Billie and I'll check in when I get home :) Merry Christmas Jim, you have gathered many here and we are grateful.

[Aquamarine]

Got my Rummy Doll today! He sounds just like Rumsfeld when you push the button on his back. You are so thoughtful, you even included a Santa ornament...and wrapped the present beautifully. :)

Thank You!

[JustAmy]

Thank you!!!

I liked that graphic but I wanted to say Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays! Guess you can tell, I'm not worried about being PC.


MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL!!

[Jim Robinson]

Thank you, Billie and Mama_Bear and all on the "Finest" thread.

Merry Christmas to all!

Jim

[MeekOneGOP]

Merry Christmas, ya'll ! ...

Elvis Snowy Christmas Night

[MeekOneGOP]

Merry Christmas, ya'll ! ...

Elvis Snowy Christmas Night

[Aquamarine]

Nice one, Meekie. ;)

[FreeTheHostages]

Good, at least one of the gifts arrived before xmas.

I'm kinda bummed because something I sent out Fed Ex on Monday won't be getting to the recipient until Friday. That's Fed Ex mind you! I shoulda used USPS like I did for your gift. I mailed that Sunday and it got there Wednesday.

[dixie sass]

From the low country of South Carolina to the up country - Merry Christmas Visualops.

[dixie sass]

Thank you my upcountry friend and I wish the same for you!

[SpookBrat]

Horny toads and tarantulas....great Christmas Eve conversation. LOL I love tarantulas because they are so loyal and loving. They mate for life. If you find one, their spouse is some where close. I don't really care for spiders necessarily, but tarantulas are interesting.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Merry Christmas, Beautiful Babes!

(((((((Billie-Mama_Bear-dansangel-FreeTheHostages-Aquamarine-dutchess )))))))

[Badray]

May you all enjoy a blessed holiday season.

Dixie,

Thanks for including me in your list of FRiends. I can't imagine the last 5 years without FR and the wonderful people that I've had the pleasure of meeting.

LBGA, You never leave my thoughts and will live forever in my heart. May God richly bless and watch over your two children.

[TexasCowboy]

"but tarantulas are interesting."

Can you imagine people in New York City sitting around the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve saying, "Tarantulas are interesting....!"
LOL!

[ST.LOUIE1]

We all love and miss you, sweet ((((((( Who )))))))

[ST.LOUIE1]

Merry Christmas!

[MEG33]

Merry Christmas ((((((((((Wolfie))))))))))Hoping for your knee to be in good working order soon!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Merry Christmas! Have a wonderful day.