Call me old-fashioned, but I still mail out Christmas cards every year. The tradition certainly seems to have waned – and evolved – over time, with online services making it a faster, less hands-on operation for those wanting to share holiday wishes. And of course, there’s no need to send a card to keep in touch with distant friends and family thanks to the wonders of modern technology, I suppose, but it sure is fun to open the mailbox and find one of those colorful greetings!
In early 1900s New York, Christmas and New Year’s cards could be purchased from street peddlers for a penny! (They’ve gone up a bit in price since then.)
Early Christmas cards contained a mix of imagery, not always focused on snowy scenes and Santa Claus or Christmas trees, as evidenced by the examples from the Prints and Photographs Division’s collections below:
Regardless of the image on the card, I hope the tradition of mailing holiday greetings is one that mounts a comeback. (The postman in the photo at right may disagree!)
Learn More:
- Enjoy other images related to Christmas cards in the Prints and Photographs Online Catalog.
- View photos of street peddlers in early 1900s New York with their other Christmas goods, including stuffed bears and toy birds.
- Explore photos and other pictures of postmen on their daily rounds.
Comments (2)
The photos and post cards really grab at your imagination and
curiosity.
Thanks for sharing, beautiful images!