Vintage Christmas Cards

The custom of sending Christmas cards started in Britain in 1840 when the first 'Penny Post' public postal deliveries began. (Helped by the new railway system, the public postal service was the 19th century's communication revolution, just as email is for us today.) As printing methods improved, Christmas cards were produced in large numbers from about 1860. They became even more popular in Britain when a card could be posted in an unsealed envelope for one half-penny - half the price of an ordinary letter.    A little know fact....  Robins were used on cards 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were nicknamed robins.   Gooling this subject brought up many interesting facts so if you'd like to know more  start here.  http://www.hackettstownhistory.com/narticle_christmascards.shtml

   This Saturday I would live to share some Christmas cards that were given to us after my in laws passed away.. There are around eighty cards of different occasions

 This is the card sent to my father-in-law by his Grandma on his second Christmas

                                                   Notice it is dated 1913
                                          

                                                  
                       Below are more Christmas cards his Grandma and Mother received.
                       Most of these caads are from the early 1900's.

                                     
                                           A kiss under the miseteltoe

                      

                       This dog is ready for Christmas with his flag, and carrying his wish in his mouth

                             
                                             Notice this card was postmarked 1910 and it has the old penny stamp on it.  Today a post card is 29 cents to mail  and goes up after the first of the year.

 I have included two Thanksgiving card and a birthday card below.. I often wished i had been able to have some of my grandmother's post cards. She had boxes of them . .I really don't know who got them or where they went. At least I can enjoy the ones I have.

I think this turkey is going to give the little girl quite a chase

 ..he doesn't want to be the main course for their dinner

                                         

 below is a sweet birthday card

 

 And one suitable for a  sweetheart or loved one

 

                        
                                                To see more posts for this  first December Saturday  , visit our hostess Ms Beverly for a list     http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/  

  Wouldn't it be fun to get a post card in your mailbox like those of old?  I know I would. In fact I have a few old ones that have been reproduced to send  a few lucky gals.
 
              So much to do yet for some of us I need to bake, decorate and get those cards addressed. Enjoy your weekend.   . I have already received five in the mail

 Enjoy your weekend