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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-23,24,25,26-04...Let Us Rejoice (Our Christmas Thread)
Billie
Posted on 12/23/2004 5:37:33 AM 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; freepers; fun; merrychristmas; military; patriotic; surprises; veterans
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To: Billie
Yup and here it is <
darn thing ran away, but I caught it..
101
posted on
12/23/2004 2:23:48 PM PST
by
The Mayor
(let the wisdom of God check our thoughts before they leave our tongue)
To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick
Hi, there - thanks for posting the information about the WWE wrestlers being in Iraq.
I bet that they *did* enjoy it a lot - a little diversion from the war in any form of entertainment just *has* to be a welcome relief by our weary soldiers. I hope they're getting a good dinner this weekend.
Merry Christmas, Biker Chick!
Good to see you here today.
102
posted on
12/23/2004 2:29:33 PM PST
by
Billie
(wishing each and every one a Christmas filled with love and good will)
To: MeekOneGOP; Darksheare
Better be good! Somebody's watching you. :)
103
posted on
12/23/2004 2:33:11 PM PST
by
Billie
(wishing each and every one a Christmas filled with love and good will)
To: Billie
*chuckle*
Santa's spying on me!
104
posted on
12/23/2004 2:37:32 PM PST
by
Darksheare
(Beauty always comes with dark thoughts)
To: LUV W
Thanks, Luv! Looks like Santa's having a hard time getting down that chimney. :)
Whew! He made it! :)
105
posted on
12/23/2004 2:39:09 PM PST
by
Billie
(wishing each and every one a Christmas filled with love and good will)
To: lysie
Thanks, lysie!
Hope your Christmas is wonderful!
106
posted on
12/23/2004 2:43:19 PM PST
by
Billie
(wishing each and every one a Christmas filled with love and good will)
To: Billie; Mama_Bear; Aquamarine; dutchess; deadhead; LadyX; WVNan; dixie sass; MEG33; Donaeus; ...
Beautiful Presentation, dear Billie, and the Information about Christmas Cards was very Informative.
Have a Beautiful and Blessed Christmas, everyone at Freeper's Finest! I Love you all!
To: Billie
Tee-Hee! ...and now he has to haul that huge bag to the tree to put the presents there!
108
posted on
12/23/2004 3:21:10 PM PST
by
luvie
(WE DID NOT WAVER; WE DID NOT TIRE; WE DID NOT FALTER; AND WE DID NOT FAIL!! GWB ROCKS!!!!!!!!)
To: All; Finest FRiends; The Mayor; Billie; dutchess; ladtx; Aquamarine; dansangel; Gabz; Pippin; ...
Lovely post. Thank you, Billie.
This will probably be the last time I will be able to get in here until after Christmas. Company will be arriving soon and I still have much to do; baking, cleaning, etc.
I want you all to know that I wish you the Merriest CHRISTmas. It is such a joy to know each one of you. You are all dear and special to me. God Bless!
109
posted on
12/23/2004 3:22:51 PM PST
by
Mama_Bear
(Merry CHRISTmas!)
To: visualops
I made that Almond Lemon Pound Cake recipe you posted. I baked it in a bundt pan and put a lemon glaze over it. It is WONDERFUL! It has earned a place in my recipe box. Thank you so much! :-)
110
posted on
12/23/2004 3:24:48 PM PST
by
Mama_Bear
(Merry CHRISTmas!)
To: Mama_Bear
Merry Christmas to you too, Lori!
To: Kitty Mittens
A Blessed and Merry Christmas to you and yours (((((Kitty Mittens)))))))
112
posted on
12/23/2004 3:27:40 PM PST
by
dansangel
(Thank you Veterans past and present!)
To: jwfiv
Just too beautiful, Billie ... good grief, so lovely and perfectly Christmassy ... You just really know how to put a smile in our hearts. Thank you for that....we all *always* look forward to your posts.
I'm sure that Santa caught this one, so be ready for extra goodies in your stocking ... )
Oh, good! Do you think I'll need a bigger one than this? :)
113
posted on
12/23/2004 3:27:55 PM PST
by
Billie
(wishing each and every one a Christmas filled with love and good will)
To: Mama_Bear
((((((Mama_Bear)))))) and ((((((JKphoto)))))))
Enjoy your Christmas with family and friends. May God Bless you all abundantly.
114
posted on
12/23/2004 3:28:51 PM PST
by
dansangel
(Thank you Veterans past and present!)
To: Excuse_My_Bellicosity
We need more Hollywood actors like this guy:Oh, we sure do. What a great picture!
Merry Christmas, EMB!
115
posted on
12/23/2004 3:30:41 PM PST
by
Billie
(wishing each and every one a Christmas filled with love and good will)
To: dansangel
116
posted on
12/23/2004 3:31:28 PM PST
by
Billie
(wishing each and every one a Christmas filled with love and good will)
To: backhoe; austingirl
Wanted to wish you both a Merry Christmas! Bundle up, austingirl!
117
posted on
12/23/2004 3:34:50 PM PST
by
Billie
(wishing each and every one a Christmas filled with love and good will)
To: Mama_Bear; jkphoto; JustAmy
Merry Christmas To All!
118
posted on
12/23/2004 3:36:01 PM PST
by
Syncro
To: jwfiv; ST.LOUIE1
I put on my winter coat just to say Merry Christmas, Mr. Wolf. Ohhhhhhh, for a coat like that!! Goodness that's a beautiful fox! (Had to smile at the rest of your post to wolfie!)
119
posted on
12/23/2004 3:37:18 PM PST
by
Billie
(wishing each and every one a Christmas filled with love and good will)
To: 506trooper
Hi, trooper - your santa is cute - I think I can *hear* him saying "Ho, Ho, Ho"!
Merry Christmas and thanks for your wishes to us, too. :)
120
posted on
12/23/2004 3:39:20 PM PST
by
Billie
(wishing each and every one a Christmas filled with love and good will)
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