History of Christmas Cards  

Page Eighteen

Today you would have a hard time finding a modern card as intricate and elaborate as those produced during the Victorian era. That was a time of fine artisans and expert printers. They never heard of the word 'clip art'. Fortunately many of these old cards are preserved in private and museum collections. One of the largest collections of Christmas cards is at the headquarters of Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, MO. Displayed here are not only cards produced by Hallmark, but also many cards from other printers dating back to the 1800's.

Ernest Dudley Chase said it best in his book "The Romance of Greeting Cards" when he wrote

"The message the Christmas card carries is a universal one, significant both to those who believe in Christ and to those who do not. Whether it travels in religious dress, or in gay , holiday attire, or in a combination of both, it brings joy, sunshine, and happiness to a world ever in need of it. With but little regard for the miles between, it annually renews old acquaintances, cements old friendships, and brings loved ones closer."

What we have discovered here is that although the way we send Christmas greetings has changed over time, the need to express our feelings to others is constant. And no matter how we say it, the message remains the same ol' season's greetings:…

Hallmark Cards is the #1 card producer. The company's cards are sold under the brand names Hallmark, Shoebox, and Ambassador.

American Greetings is the #2 U.S. maker of greeting cards. The company's brand names are American Greetings and Carlton Cards.

Carlton Cards US, The U.S. subsidiary of American Greetings

Carlton Cards Canada, a subsidiary of American Greetings, markets cards under the brand names Carlton Cards, Forget-Me-Not and Wishing Well.

Carlton Cards UK, a subsidiary of American Greetings, is one of the top four major cards companies in the United Kingdom. Carlton Cards UK markets cards under the brand names Carlton, Forget-Me-Not, Marketplace and the Laura Seddon Collection. Its new lines include Bubblegum, Glitterbugs and Amy Allison.

Leanin' Tree Exquisite fine art, combined with warm and sincere holiday greetings, since 1949.

The History of Christmas Cards, by George Buday, Rockliff, London, 1954

The Romance of Greeting Cards, by Ernest Dudly Chase; University Press of Cambridge; 1956

Louis Prang Color Lithographer, by Larry Freeman, 1971

Chromolithographs of Louis Prang, by Katharine McClinton, 1973

The Victorian Christmas Book, by Anthony & Peter Miall, Pantheon Books, New York, 1978

A Family Christmas, by The Readers Digest Association, United States, 1984

Christmas Cards for the Collector, by Arthur Blair, B.T. Batsford LTD, London, 1986

The Christmas Book, by Ortho Books, Chevron Chemical Company, 1987

The Very Best From Hallmark, Greeting Cards Through the Years, Ellen Stern, Harry N. Abrams Inc. Publishers, New York, 1988

A Victorian Christmas, Joy to the World, by Cynthia Hart and John Grossman, text by Priscilla Dunhill, Workman Publishing, New York, 1990

Country Home, An Old-Fashioned Christmas, by Meredith Books, Des Moines, Iowa, 1992

A Gallery of Greetings, by Laura Seddon, Manchester Polytechnic Library, 1992

Christmas Collectibles, by Lissa and Dick Smith, Chartwell Books, Secaucus, New Jersey, 1993

Christmas Collectibiles, second edition, by Margaret and Kenn Whitmyer, Collector Books, Paducah, Kentucky, 1994

Christmas Cards, by Michelle Higgs, 2000

Postcard Magazine, various issues and authors

The Livaudais Collection, Greg Livaudais, Metairie, LA.