Christmas Cards
from Harper's Bazaar, December 31, 1881
"The American Christmas cards
excel the imported cards this season, and many of
them are framed and presented as separate gifts, instead of merely accompanying a
Christmas present.
The four prize cards are of the highest excellence, and are especially worthy of
their pretty setting in a wide mat of cream white or pale gray and a narrow frame of
whitewood traced with red or blue lines, or of ebonized wood lined with white or red, or
else in a plain frame of dead gilt. They make a charming illuminated bit on the wall, and
are lasting souvenirs of 1881. Some of these come provided with a border of fringed silk
in quaint olive, pale blue, red, or gold-color, with a cord for suspending them, and these
have the advantage of not concealing the tasteful decorations on the back.
Among smaller cards, the Christmas Carol cards, showing four funny little girls and
birds on a bough, or two of the same little folks drawing Christmas greens, are great
favorites, and these are also mounted in fringe or in wooden frames. The Goddess Fortune
card is liked by people of artistic tastes, and there are many amusing cat, frog, and bird
designs. The bric-a-brac cards are richly colored, and there are new floral designs,
quaintly dressed groups of children, new horseshoe cards for good luck, spread fan cards
finished with silk fringe, and the pretty Christmas dove, similar to the Easter dove of
last spring.
The folding calendar is the prettiest American calendar yet made, and surpasses
the famous English ones. These cards, when sent by mail, should be folded in stiff
card-board, and put in envelopes that fit closely, as they are apt to be broken if not
well protected."
 RETURN
TO CHRISTMAS
CARDS Harpers
Bazaar Magazine, 19th Century Harpers
Bazaar Magazine, 21st Century |
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