Illuminated cards from the series
"Father Christmas and His Little Friends"
1870's

These cards are most often found as individual cards.
The Livaudais Collection has both individual cards and
a set in a folder configuration; attached side-by-side
that fold out into a long panel. I don't know if they
were printed in two formats or not. What makes me think
so is that I have duplicate cards with different border
patterns.


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Top Card:
"An hour before dinner old Xmas employs
snowballing and romping outside with the boys"

Father Christmas & His Little Friends No 3
Marcus Ward & Co.

Size: 4" x 2 1/2"
This card is pictured on the front cover of
George Buday's book "The History of Christmas Cards"

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Middle card:
"Old Christmas heads the funny game with many a frolic rare
He makes the young to laugh with joy the old forget their care"

Father Christmas & His Little Friends No 5
Marcus Ward & Co.
Size: 4" x 2 1/2"

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Bottom card:
"At twelve O'clock the poor old boy in sadness goes away.
Altho the little folk he love entreat of him to stay"

Father Christmas & His Little Friends No 6"
Marcus Ward & Co.

Size: 4" x 2 1/2"
This card is pictured on the back cover of
George Buday's book "The History of Christmas Cards"

The back is signed by sender and:
"Christmas 1881"

Bottom has:
MARCUS WARD & Co.

Size: 3.5" x 6"

Now we know.
They were a supplement to the November 28, 1874
publication of 'The Graphic' and printed on a
single sheet to be cut out as individual cards.