The Laura Seddon collection of over 32,000 cards resides in the Manchester Polytechnic Library. Walter Crane was Director of Design there 1893-1896 in the Regional College of Art. Laura Seddon had collected Victorian Greeting Cards over a period of 30 years. At the age of 76 she began the "Herculean" task of writing a detailed catalogue of the collection and gifted the collection and published catalogue (Titled "A Gallery of Greetings") to the University. It is available to students and to others for study, research and viewing.

The collection contains 274 Volumes (Box Files) each box has around 25 - 35 sheets with cards arranged. The volumes are arranged mainly in chronological order, but this links in with Publishers and types or subjects. Cards are described in detail with sizes, dates etc. Unfortunately the catalogue only has a few illustrations.

These four beautiful Victorian Christmas cards are part of the Livaudais Christmas Collection and were catalogued by Laura Seddon in her famous collection.

They were printed in Chromolithography. The artist is the Celebrated master of Victorian design Walter Crane. These are part of a set that dates from circa 1874.

	Caption "1874 TEM PVS 1875" This card was once owned by Laura Seddon. (WC) mark on left-center. Size: 4" x 2.5".
	Caption: "C-C-Call tomorrow, if you please"..."A spoonful every two hours" Card has "WC" mark at the bottom right. Size: 4.25" x 3"
	Caption at top: "BEST WISHES FOR Ye TIDE" Caption at bottom: "GOOD CHEER FOR CHRISTMAS" Father Christmas rides a carriage pulled by men carrying signs that say "Every man's candidate" , "Plump for Christmas", and "Your Vote" Background says "Triumphant Return of Mr Christmas" "WC" mark is at top right corner. Size: 4.25" x 3"
	Looks like a game of Leap-Frog Back of card is signed and dated 1874 Card has "WC" mark at the bottom right. Size: 4.25" x 3"

Ms Seddon thought these cards may have been issued as a folder. Others believe they may have been issued as a sheet for the buyer to cut out. The G.Livaudais Christmas Card Collection contains a copy of the source of these cards (see below); a page from The Graphic, a British weekly illustrated newspaper running from 1869 - 1932. This page was printed for the November 28, 1874 issue.

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