Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards, as now sold and distributed in millions during the festive season, in their various forms, are familiar to every one. The invention has been ascribed by some to the late Sir Henry Cole; by others, the credit of designing the first Christmas card in 1846 is given to J. C. Horsley, R.A. Immense progress has been made in beauty and artistic effect since the time when the popular emblems were more or less confined to Old Father Christmas, images of flowers, the robin-redbreast, or the dove. The prize competitions for designs have also done not a little in stimulating the art. Their production is begun often more than a year in advance; and the system of sending Christmas cards, as also New-year's, Easter, and birthday cards, has created a new trade, and a new field for artists, engravers, lithographers, and printers. The quantity of Christmas cards passing through the post-office leads to congestion for a few days in ordinary deliveries.