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Poster Print : On May 1st, 1843 English Academic painter and illustrator John Callcott Horsley designed the first commercially produced and printed Christmas card, commissioned by English civil servant and inventor Henry Cole
Poster Prints from Mary Evans Picture Library
On May 1st, 1843 English Academic painter and illustrator John Callcott Horsley designed the first commercially produced and printed Christmas card, commissioned by English civil servant and inventor Henry Cole
On May 1st, 1843 English Academic painter and illustrator John Callcott Horsley designed the first commercially produced and printed Christmas card, commissioned by English civil servant and inventor Henry Cole. Joseph Cundall, a London publisher of children's books, collaborated on the project, put his imprint on the card, and sold them at his Summerly Home Treasury Office. Summerly was a pseudonym invented by Henry Cole and used in various of his collaborations with Cundall.. This example sent (and signed) by Henry and Marian Cole was sent to Granny and Aunt Char. The hand-colored lithographed card, which read " A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to You, " was controversial because it included a picture of a family with a small child drinking wine together which disturbed the UK temperance movement (who were calling for abstinence from alcohol at that time). The controvesy aided the popularity of the card and two printings totalling 2050 cards sold in 1843 for one shilling each. The first printing was 1000 copies. On November 24, 2001 this specific copy of this card sold for £ 22, 500 at auction at Henry Aldridge and Son in Devizes, Wiltshire. Date: 1843
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Media ID 27970032
© Henry Aldridge & Son Ltd. / Mary Evans
1840s Annual Aunt Char Cole Commercial Granny Hand Coloured Horsley Marian Office Phenomenon Success Treasury Callcott Cundall Summerly
20x30 inch Poster Print
Step back in time with our exquisite selection of poster prints from the Media Storehouse range. Featuring the iconic "The First Christmas Card" design by John Callcott Horsley, these prints transport you to the very beginning of this cherished holiday tradition. Commissioned by Henry Cole in 1843, this beautifully intricate illustration marks the inception of mass-produced Christmas cards. Bring the history and charm of this timeless artwork into your home or office with our high-quality, rights-managed reproductions from Mary Evans Prints Online.
Poster prints are budget friendly enlarged prints in standard poster paper sizes. Printed on 150 gsm Matte Paper for a natural feel and supplied rolled in a tube. Great for framing and should last many years. To clean wipe with a microfiber, non-abrasive cloth or napkin. Our Archival Quality Photo Prints and Fine Art Paper Prints are printed on higher quality paper and the choice of which largely depends on your budget.
Poster prints are budget friendly enlarged prints in standard poster paper sizes (A0, A1, A2, A3 etc). Whilst poster paper is sometimes thinner and less durable than our other paper types, they are still ok for framing and should last many years. Our Archival Quality Photo Prints and Fine Art Paper Prints are printed on higher quality paper and the choice of which largely depends on your budget.
Estimated Product Size is 76.8cm x 51.4cm (30.2" x 20.2")
These are individually made so all sizes are approximate
Artwork printed orientated as per the preview above, with landscape (horizontal) or portrait (vertical) orientation to match the source image.
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This beautiful and historic Christmas card, designed by English Academic painter and illustrator John Callcott Horsley in May 1843, marks the inception of the commercially produced and printed Christmas card tradition. Commissioned by English civil servant and inventor Henry Cole and collaborating with London publisher Joseph Cundall, this hand-colored lithograph was the first of its kind to be mass-produced and sold, with the intention of making the holiday greeting more accessible to the general public. The card, which reads "A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to You," was sent by Henry and Marian Cole to their relatives, Granny and Aunt Char. However, the image of a family enjoying a glass of wine together raised controversy amidst the UK temperance movement, who were advocating for abstinence from alcohol at the time. The ensuing debate only served to increase the popularity of the cards, with two printings totalling 2050 cards sold in 1843 for one shilling each. This specific copy of the card, which bears the signatures of Henry and Marian Cole, sold for an impressive £22,500 at auction on November 24, 2001, at Henry Aldridge and Son in Devizes, Wiltshire. A testament to the significance of this early Christmas card, it remains a cherished piece of holiday history and a reminder of the enduring tradition of sending festive greetings to loved ones.
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