In the 19th century, before festive Christmas cards became the norm, Victorians put a darkly humorous and twisted spin on their seasonal greetings. Some of the more popular subjects included anthropomorphic frogs, bloodthirsty snowmen and dead birds.
How were Victorian Christmas cards made?
Designed by painter John Callcott Horsley, cards were printed lithographically and then hand-coloured by the professional colourer Mason. Cole used as many of these cards as he required and sold the rest for one shilling each under the pseudonym Felix Summerly.
Did Victorians send Christmas cards?
he Victorian era saw the development of Christmas traditions and among them of Christmas cards.
What did the first Christmas cards look like?
The first cards usually had pictures of the Nativity scene on them. In late Victorian times, robins (a British bird) and snow-scenes became popular. In those times the postmen were nicknamed ‘Robin Postmen’ because of the red uniforms they wore.
Did Victorians invent Christmas cards?
One of the most significant seasonal traditions to emerge from the Victorian era is the Christmas card. It was Sir Henry Cole, the first director of the V&A, who introduced the idea of the Christmas card in 1843.
Why did Victorians send Christmas cards?
The tradition of sending Christmas cards began in 1843, thanks to senior civil servant Sir Henry Cole. The wealthy businessman wished to design a card that he could send to business colleagues and friends to wish them a Merry Christmas.
What day were Christmas cards delivered in Victorian times?
Victorian Christmas cards often showed a robin delivering Christmas mail. In the nineteenth century, the British Post Office used to deliver cards on Christmas morning.
What were Victorian calling cards?
A tray full of calling cards was like social media for the Victorian era, a way to advertise who was in one’s extended social circle. Often the cards of the wealthiest or most influential people were purposefully displayed at the top of the stack to impress future visitors.
What is the oldest Christmas card?
Reproduction of the Christmas card designed by John Callcott Horsley for Henry Cole in 1843. This is recognised as the first Christmas card ever sent.
What did Victorian children get for Christmas?
Gift giving was traditionally part of New Year celebrations, but the Victorians used Christmas as an occasion for giving fruit, nuts, sweets and small handmade trinkets to their loved ones. Handmade games, dolls, books and clockwork toys were popular, as were apples, oranges and nuts.
What would a poor Victorian child find in their stocking?
In a “poor child’s” Christmas stocking, which first became popular from around 1870, only an apple, orange and a few nuts could be found. Father Christmas / Santa Claus – Normally associated with the bringer of the above gifts, is Father Christmas or Santa Claus.
Do Christmas cards date back to 1843?
The first commercially available card was commissioned by Sir Henry Cole and designed by John Callcott Horsley in London 1843. The central picture showed three generations of a family raising a toast to the card’s recipient: on either side were scenes of charity, with food and clothing being given to the poor.
Did you know facts about Victorian Christmas?
Christmas cards were a Victorian invention. The first one was sent in 1843, by Henry Cole – and showed a family enjoying Christmas dinner. Nowadays, hundreds of millions of Christmas cards are sent in the UK alone! 1843: A Carol for Christmas!
How much did the first Christmas card cost in Victorian times?
The first Christmas card – ‘a flop’
Tim Travis, a curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum, where the original card produced by Sir Henry Cole is kept, says the one shilling Christmas card would have been “roughly a day’s wage for a labourer”.
What did kids get for Christmas in the 1800s?
Preserves, jams, jellies, candies, needlework, plants, and doilies were common gifts in the late 1800s, Winans-Bagnall said. Also new this year is a children’s holiday game popular in 1874 that involves throwing a cloth snowball through a wreath.
What were Victorian Christmas traditions?
Giving Gifts
Presents were shared on the evening of Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas Day as is traditional in the 21st century. In the royal household Queen Victoria insisted unwrapped presents be spread out across tables, as they did with royal birthdays.
How did poor Victorians celebrate Christmas?
Answer and Explanation: Poor people in Victorian England typically did not celebrate Christmas with much festivity. Often, it was considered another work day for the poor, but some workhouses provided a slightly more elaborate means to the workers that day.
Did the Victorians have Santa Claus?
The English Father Christmas was now Santa Claus in all but name. Despite being invented by New Yorkers hankering after old Dutch traditions, Santa was exactly the kind of hero the Victorians needed for their new, family-friendly Christmas.
Who invented Victorian Christmas cards?
Our founding director, Henry Cole, sent the first Christmas card in 1843. We now hold the national collection of cards for all occasions, with over 30,000 examples, more than half of which celebrate Christmas. Discover the origins of this very Victorian tradition.
How many Xmas cards were printed in 1880?
11.5 million cards
Until 1840, postage was too expensive for most, but thanks to the introduction of the penny post on January 10, cards became more accessible. After that the practice rapidly increased with 11.5 million cards being produced in 1880 alone.
How late is too late for Christmas cards?
HOW LATE IS TOO LATE TO SEND CHRISTMAS CARDS? As a general answer, plan to get your cards in the mail no later than December 12 if you are selecting basic ground delivery.