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This book traces the history of the Christmas card from its Victorian origins, through the Christmas postcards of the Edwardian era and the popular art of the inter-war period, up to the end of the Second World War. It illustrates examples of a wide variety of Christmas cards from each decade and shows how to create your own collection of these colourful, miniature works of art. The first Christmas card appeared in 1843 but the idea did not catch on until almost twenty years later. The invention of the chromolithographic process and the introduction of comprehensive postal reforms sealed the success of the Christmas card. By the 1880s, sales were well into the millions per year and the Christmas card has returned its popularity ever since.

Softcover; A5; 40pp

About the Author

Michelle Higgs is a history graduate and freelance writer specialising in history, heritage and leisure and has contributed to a wide range of publications. She is interested in all aspects of social history, particularly the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and her passion for Christmas cards began when she was given a Victorian Christmas card album as a gift. She believes Christmas cards are a highly decorative form of popular art as well as a valuable form of social history.