Greeting Card Collection

American Thanksgiving card, c1900
THANKSGIVING CARD, 1900. American Thanksgiving card, c1900

CHRISTMAS CARD, 1843. The first Christmas card, designed for Sir Henry Cole in 1843 by John Calcott Horsley, R. A
CHRISTMAS CARD, 1843. The first Christmas card, designed for Sir Henry Cole in 1843 by John Calcott Horsley, R.A

To thee and thine, from me and mine, a hearty Thanksgiving greeting. American greeting card, 1912
THANKSGIVING CARD, 1912. To thee and thine, from me and mine, a hearty Thanksgiving greeting. American greeting card, 1912

FATHERs DAY CARD, 1912. American Fathers Day card, 1912

Mystical Bird (Karyobinga), 1820-33. Creator: Hokusai
Mystical Bird (Karyobinga), 1820-33

The Blue Bird for Happiness
3775029 The Blue Bird for Happiness by Robinson, Frederick Cayley (1862-1927); (add.info.: The Blue Bird for Happiness, by Maurice Maeterlinck first performed at Haymarket Theatre 1909-Poster design)

THANKSGIVING CARD, c1910. Heres to a glad Thanksgiving Day. American greeting card, c1910

A Victorian greeting card of fox hunters racing by while the fox hides in a tree, c
3604229 A Victorian greeting card of fox hunters racing by while the fox hides in a tree, c.1880 (colour litho) by Griset, Ernest Henry (1844-1907); Private Collection; Photo eDavid Pearson; English

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665781 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665780 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665779 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665775 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Portrait of the tenor Emilio Balli; postcard with a dedication
3568694 Portrait of the tenor Emilio Balli; postcard with a dedication; (add.info.: Italy 1920 ca. Photographer: Schlattman); Alinari Archives, Florence.

Greetings from Upper Bavaria (postcard)
7377742 Greetings from Upper Bavaria (postcard); (add.info.: costumes, baptism, Schuhplattler, wedding); © Arkivi UG All Rights Reserved.

Greetings from Arbersee, traditional Bavarian costumes, c.1919 (postcard)
7377783 Greetings from Arbersee, traditional Bavarian costumes, c.1919 (postcard); © Arkivi UG All Rights Reserved.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665777 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665774 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with windmill and holly decorative elements
3665766 French greeting card with windmill and holly decorative elements; (add.info.: French greeting card with windmill and holly decorative elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

In the Snow, Victorian card
BAL10168 In the Snow, Victorian card; Private Collection.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665785 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665778 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with a young girl and floral elements, 1900
3665773 French greeting card with a young girl and floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with a young girl and floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with good luck charms as decorative elements
3665772 French greeting card with good luck charms as decorative elements; (add.info.: French greeting card with good luck charms as decorative elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with a young girl and floral elements, 1900
3665771 French greeting card with a young girl and floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with a young girl and floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665769 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with twigs spelling 'Pensee (Thoughts)
3665768 French greeting card with twigs spelling 'Pensee (Thoughts); (add.info.: French greeting card with twigs spelling 'Pensee (Thoughts) as a decorative element 1900

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665740 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665737 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

New Year's greeting card, c.1920 (print)
7293169 New Year's greeting card, c.1920 (print); (add.info.: Society. Holidays. Sailboat with motto:"Godspeed and Good Luck." Geeting card for the new year, England)

Greetings from the mountains, man and woman in costume lying on a meadow, shoe soles (postcard)
7377770 Greetings from the mountains, man and woman in costume lying on a meadow, shoe soles (postcard); © Arkivi UG All Rights Reserved.

A Victorian die cut pop up greeting card of a railway carriage, c.1901 (colour litho)
3605947 A Victorian die cut pop up greeting card of a railway carriage, c.1901 (colour litho); Private Collection; Photo © David Pearson.

A milkmaid next to cows in a stream, 1850
2911587 A milkmaid next to cows in a stream, 1850; (add.info.: Vintage greeting card with illustration of milkmaid next to cows in a stream from the 19th century. 1850); Universal History Archive/UIG

Girl with a Muff, Victorian Christmas card
BAL15256 Girl with a Muff, Victorian Christmas card; Private Collection.

A Jolly Christmas Dear - Four Little Girls in White, Victorian postcard
BAL8827 A Jolly Christmas Dear - Four Little Girls in White, Victorian postcard; Private Collection.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665784 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665782 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665776 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with angel and pig as decorative elements
3665767 French greeting card with angel and pig as decorative elements; (add.info.: French greeting card with angel and pig as decorative elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665765 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Embossing Happy Easter card, 1915 (postcard)
949479 Embossing Happy Easter card, 1915 (postcard); Private Collection; (add.info.: Chick with Flag and a ladybug); © Arkivi UG All Rights Reserved.

A Happy Christmas to You, early 20th century christmas card (print)
PV115525 A Happy Christmas to You, early 20th century christmas card (print) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection.

United Kingdom: An embroidered silk postcard produced in France during WW1
UIG5429706 United Kingdom: An embroidered silk postcard produced in France during WW1; Past Pix/SSPL/UIG.

New Year's greeting card, c.1920 (print)
7293170 New Year's greeting card, c.1920 (print); (add.info.: Society. Holidays. Artificial flowers. Greeting card for the new year, England, ca 1920.); Photo: © Archives Charmet.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900-01 (print)
3665793 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900-01 (print); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665783 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French greeting card with floral elements, 1900
3665736 French greeting card with floral elements, 1900; (add.info.: French greeting card with floral elements 1900.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The Christmas Tree
BAL17480 The Christmas Tree; Private Collection.

Little Girl with a Muff, Victorian card
NAT36079 Little Girl with a Muff, Victorian card; Private Collection.

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"Greeting Cards: A Timeless Tradition of Heartfelt Messages" Since their inception in 1843, greeting cards have been a cherished way to express sentiments and celebrate special occasions. The first Christmas card, designed by John Calcott Horsley for Sir Henry Cole, marked the beginning of this beautiful tradition. In the early 1900s, American Thanksgiving cards emerged as a way to extend warm wishes during this festive season. One such card from 1912 read, "To thee and thine, from me and mine, a hearty Thanksgiving greeting, " capturing the essence of gratitude and togetherness. Father's Day also found its place on these heartfelt cards in 1912 when American fathers were honored with their own dedicated greetings. These cards served as tokens of appreciation for the love and guidance provided by fathers throughout the years. Greeting cards often featured enchanting illustrations that evoked joy and happiness. "The Blue Bird for Happiness" became an iconic symbol on many cards, spreading cheer across generations. Thanksgiving continued to be celebrated through beautifully crafted greeting cards around 1910. One such card wished recipients a glad Thanksgiving day with the words, "Heres to a glad Thanksgiving Day. " These messages brought warmth and unity during this time of reflection and gratitude. Victorian-era greeting cards showcased various scenes like fox hunters racing while the clever fox hid in a tree or vibrant Easter-themed lithographs that added color to celebrations. German New Year's cards also embraced colorful lithography techniques that captured hope for new beginnings. Christmas remained one of the most popular occasions for exchanging greetings through Victorian chromolitho prints. Expressions like "To Wish you a Happy Christmas, " "Here's Christmas, " or simply "A Happy Christmas" adorned these charmingly illustrated Victorian gems. Throughout history, greeting cards have stood as timeless keepsakes filled with heartfelt emotions.