History of Christmas Cards
Pioneer Printers in Europe
Page Four
Some prominent printers in the early Victorian years were: Charles Goodall & Son: London, 1860. First to mass-produce Christmas cards. Marcus Ward & Co.: Belfast, London, New York. 1866-1895. The artist Kate Greenaway designed cards
for this company between 1870 - 1900. De La Rue & Co: London, 1874. Prominent artist William and Rebecca Coleman were employed by this
publisher. Raphael Tuck & Sons, Raphael Tuck & Co.: London, 1870's; New York, 1885. Prize competitions in
1880 produced Christmas cards especially for the royal family. S. Hildesheimer & Co.: London, Manchester, New York, 1876-1890's. Introduced "The Penny Basket"
set in 1879. Design competition and exhibition at St. James' Hall, London in 1881. Began reproducing etchings
and water-colours by Wilfrid Ball, a member of the Society of Paint Etchers in 1881. Produced many flower cards. Hildesheimer & Faulkner: London, 1877 - 1890's. Like other publishers, had design competitions in 1881 and 1882. Introduced photogravure cards in 1882. Later the company name changed to C.W. Faulkner & Co. View some examples BY CLICKING HERE W. Hagelberg: Berlin, 1870's-90's, made some expensive animated cards of religious and comic themes. Eyre and Spottiswoode: London, 1877 - 1887; later Edinburgh and New York (1880). This was
a major company in the history of Christmas cards. They were well known for their artistic excellence.
In 1880 they donated Christmas cards to various hospitals in London for the use of their patients, an
act that was widely acknowledged.
| |||||||
An early Christmas card by Robert Canton (London in the 1860's). Early publisher of valentines, visiting cards, and Christmas cards. The boy is shouting "Hip Hip Hurrah A Merry Xmas To You". It is 3" x 4.5".