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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-24,25,26-03 ~ Let Us Rejoice
Billie
Posted on 12/23/2003 10:51:54 PM PST by 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. |
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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! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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". |
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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.
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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
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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.
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: christmas; merrychristmas; rejoice
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To: SpookBrat
Spookie, so sorry at your loss. But am happy that your granddad is with his beloved wife and Christ. GOD bless you and your while traveling. You and your family will be in my prayers.
481
posted on
12/26/2003 12:04:09 PM PST
by
dixie sass
(Meow, pfft, pfft, pfft - (hmmmm, claws needed sharpening))
To: SpookBrat
Your daughter looks like your Grandmother.
482
posted on
12/26/2003 12:05:06 PM PST
by
dixie sass
(Meow, pfft, pfft, pfft - (hmmmm, claws needed sharpening))
To: WVNan; LadyX
You could always send it to your Sistah! (giggle.)
483
posted on
12/26/2003 12:08:42 PM PST
by
dixie sass
(Meow, pfft, pfft, pfft - (hmmmm, claws needed sharpening))
To: WVNan
Well, FRank isn't my husband, lol. Just a very good friend! lolololol. Luckily, no one was around when I got my fix Wednesday!
484
posted on
12/26/2003 12:11:20 PM PST
by
dixie sass
(Meow, pfft, pfft, pfft - (hmmmm, claws needed sharpening))
To: Billie
"On top of the cookies trays, I made a Rum Cake with raspberry sauce, a Chocolate Kahlua Cake, and Danish Torte..."
You can just send every bit of it to South Carolina - I know just how to dispose of such hazardous waist - err, I mean waste.
I'm really good at it also...
HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEH
485
posted on
12/26/2003 12:14:22 PM PST
by
dixie sass
(Meow, pfft, pfft, pfft - (hmmmm, claws needed sharpening))
To: Badray
Oh Ray, don't worry, you nevah loose the ADDICTION - believe me I can testify to that!
486
posted on
12/26/2003 12:21:29 PM PST
by
dixie sass
(Meow, pfft, pfft, pfft - (hmmmm, claws needed sharpening))
To: Aquamarine; dutchess
P.S. I can't spell. SHHHHHHHHHHH, don't tell the Thin Man.
487
posted on
12/26/2003 12:23:31 PM PST
by
dixie sass
(Meow, pfft, pfft, pfft - (hmmmm, claws needed sharpening))
To: SpookBrat
I am so sorry, Spookbrat. Prayers for all
488
posted on
12/26/2003 12:54:00 PM PST
by
deadhead
(God Bless Our Troops and Veterans)
To: All; dutchess; Billie; LadyX; dixie sass; jwfiv; MEG33; WVNan
Merry Christmas All!
Love, Lucy
489
posted on
12/26/2003 1:02:49 PM PST
by
deadhead
(God Bless Our Troops and Veterans)
To: The Mayor
Well, since you can drive so fast just speed on down by my house. I have a guest suit and I love kids.
490
posted on
12/26/2003 1:04:26 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: The Mayor
Dratted fingers....suit=suite
491
posted on
12/26/2003 1:05:18 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: Mixer
Twas Mixer. Sang Christmas songs around the piano. Haven't done that in many years. Music soothes the soul.
492
posted on
12/26/2003 1:07:39 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: deadhead
Looks like Lucy's sittin' pretty this Christmas!
493
posted on
12/26/2003 1:08:45 PM PST
by
MEG33
(Joy To The World)
To: EternalVigilance
You know that you have a standing invitation to stay over if you are driving West or East, don't you? My motel room is cheaper than Motel 6. Hope your Christmas was a good one, and that you have a fantastic New Year.
494
posted on
12/26/2003 1:10:17 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: dixie sass; LadyX
Send it to my Sistah?! She can't eat it either. How about I send it to you?
495
posted on
12/26/2003 1:12:03 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: dixie sass
Well good FRiends are nice too, except when they object to bubble popping.
496
posted on
12/26/2003 1:12:45 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: deadhead
Lucy is looking fit, Colleen. It looks as if she had a good Christmas too.
497
posted on
12/26/2003 1:13:59 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: deadhead
I just love Lucy. I hope she is doing well. Give her a pat for me.
498
posted on
12/26/2003 1:16:44 PM PST
by
lonestar
(Don't mess with Texas)
To: WVNan
I will let you know if and when I make the trip..
Thanks for the offer!!
499
posted on
12/26/2003 1:37:05 PM PST
by
The Mayor
(You don't need to know where you're going if you let God do the leading)
To: The Mayor
If the e-mail addy on your profile is correct, I just sent you some lovely pictures. Hehehe.
500
posted on
12/26/2003 2:30:18 PM PST
by
WVNan
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