Henry Cole's Christmas Card Dilemma

This year the Historical Society researched Christmas traditions and decorations. One of our exhibits focuses on Christmas decorations from the early 20^th century, including a collection of antique Christmas cards that we found in our collection. 

December is one of the few times left during the year that we can expect to receive at least a dozen actual cards via snail mail. In my house, we hang them around the windows in our dining room. Each card features a Christmas or winter scene, family photos, funny Christmas cartoons or religious imagery. We decided to research the history of the first holiday greeting cards, as it is a tradition we all enjoy both sending and receiving.

Over 150 years ago, Englishman Henry Cole found himself in the same predicament we often find ourselves in today at this busy time of year. He needed to make sure he sent something to his friends and family to wish them a happy holiday. Correspondence back in the 1840’s travelled more slowly than texts and email, and he found himself quite behind. He had John Calcott Horsley design a card with a holiday sentiment that could be printed and copied so that he could send it to all of his friends. The first card featured a festive Christmas gathering, with men and women gathered around a table, raising their glasses towards the reader. (I have included the image in this post.) It read simply, “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year To You.” It also included two illustrations featuring men and women feeding the poor and clothing those in need. He had captured the joviality of the season, as well as the tradition of spreading good will and cheer to those less fortunate.  

They printed 1,000 copies of this first card, and the idea quickly caught on. Soon, printing companies began to include holiday cards among their merchandise. Early cards included animals, flowers, children and angels. With penny postage, many families could afford to send these cheery notes to friends. By 1870, American printing companies began printing cards as well. Louis Prang of Boston is considered to have been the founder of the American greeting card industry. He perfected multicolor printing and began printing colorful lithographs in the 1870’s, many of which had religious imagery. By the 1880’s the Christmas card industry had taken off in America. Prang himself printed over 5 million a year. 

Cards followed the trends in American culture. During the depression, cards often had lighthearted humor or inspiration for better times ahead. In World War II, cards combined both holiday and patriotic images and allowed people to send cards over seas to the soldiers. 

Written letters and notes are becoming a part of the past, but I do not think e-cards or emails can really replace how wonderful it truly is to get a holiday card in the mail, written with love especially for you.  

Our antique holiday cards can be viewed this Sunday, Dec. 16th from 2-4pm for our Holiday Open House. 

The information found here is credited to: "The First Merry Christmas." Saturday Evening Post Christmas Treasury. Curtis Publihsing Company: 1976, p. 185-189.