Monday, December 13, 2010

Christmas Cards

I am not sending Christmas cards this year except special one's for my nearest and dearest.  In previous years I have either designed and made my own or bought charity one's.  I do feel a bit bah humbug but I have just not got round to it, I even found a couple of Christmas cards in my car from last year, which I never got round to sending, because I could not locate the intended recipients address.  If I change my mind,  I can do it the French way and send New Years cards which is acceptable until the end of January.

I leave you with some popular examples of fine art cards.


Joseph Farquharson, Beneath the snow encumbered branches.  This painting sold at auction for £145.000 in 2008.  If it looks familiar it's probably because you've seen it on countless mantelpieces, it was a best selling Christmas card for Hallmark.


Winter Lady, Alphonse Mucha


 Boulevard Haussmann Snow, Gustave Caillebotte


 The Starry Night Vincent van Gogh


 Peace Dove, Picasso


A take on a Lord Leighton, this was me the other day, without the help!


I guess you could use almost any image for a Christmas card, I rather like this vintage advertisment from February 1923.


Or contemporary photography




From Paris Hotel Boutique Journal


Fox Terriers, Arthur Wardle,  OK I know it's not particularly Christmassy, just imagine a snowy scene outside that barn, some of those dogs could be Crusoe's ancestors!


The world's first commercially produced Christmas card, designed by John Callcott Horsley for Henry Cole, in London 1843.  

The first commercial Christmas cards were commissioned by Sir Henry Cole in London in 1843 and featured an illustration by John Callcott Horsley. The picture, of a family with a small child drinking wine together, proved controversial, but the idea was shrewd: Cole had helped introduce the Penny Post three years earlier. Two batches totaling 2,050 cards were printed and sold that year for a shilling each.

9 comments:

  1. I've sent cards to direct family and half a dozen friends. The rest will get e-cards. I got fed up the year I sent 20 cards and got 3 back. Miserable!

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  2. I have completed my cards and am popping them in the mail today.
    I think New Years cards are a great way to connect what a nice tradition...

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  3. IF I send cards this year, it will certainly be for New Year's. There's no way I'm going to make it before the holiday. I love some of these images, tho, and they have given me an idea or two - should I do it! And, those are definitely Crusoe's ancestors - embrace them!

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  4. I don't send them either, there's too many people to send them to.

    Lovely images. I love the vintage ad too and the winter lady and the contemporary photographs you've chosen are gorgeous. Those gates are stunning xx

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  5. We always visited Paris in November and I always made sure to buy calendars and Christmas cards at the museums.
    I saved the Picasso dove, I love it .. and the Gustave Caillebotte painting of the Blvd Haussmann.
    Such nice memories, thank you.

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  6. When i could buy my cards at the British Museum or the National Gallery I did so, but moving to rural France left me somewhat less than enthusiastic about what was on offer until an artist friend started doing his own....
    Now, with the cost of postage I am delighted to find e cards and send them to all my friends who have the internet....but trying to find good cards in Costa Rica for those who haven't has been a challenge....so I shall be looking for another artist friend who....

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  7. The vintage ad card is fantastic!
    I ordered my cards online from M&S and they had one of their 3 for 2 specials, I got 40 cards including shipping to France for €13! I was quite chuffed with myself!

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  8. My beloved but now deceased Aunt Kaki Burke would always send out cards created buy an armless woman who painted with her toes.
    Many of these cards were beautiful but occasionally, some looked as if they had been drawn by toes, those were always my favorite.
    I think the very old and very young appreciate the magic of receiving a card, for them I shall make an effort.
    X David

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  9. Beautiful selection of pictures!
    Merry Christmas!

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