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Metal Print : On May 1st, 1843 English Academic painter and illustrator John Callcott Horsley designed the first commercially produced and printed Christmas card, commissioned by English civil servant and inventor Henry Cole
Resolution may be poor at this size (115 DPI)
Metal Prints from Mary Evans Picture Library
On May 1st, 1843 English Academic painter and illustrator John Callcott Horsley designed the first commercially produced and printed Christmas card, commissioned by English civil servant and inventor Henry Cole
On May 1st, 1843 English Academic painter and illustrator John Callcott Horsley designed the first commercially produced and printed Christmas card, commissioned by English civil servant and inventor Henry Cole. Joseph Cundall, a London publisher of children's books, collaborated on the project, put his imprint on the card, and sold them at his Summerly Home Treasury Office. Summerly was a pseudonym invented by Henry Cole and used in various of his collaborations with Cundall.. This example sent (and signed) by Henry and Marian Cole was sent to Granny and Aunt Char. The hand-colored lithographed card, which read " A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to You, " was controversial because it included a picture of a family with a small child drinking wine together which disturbed the UK temperance movement (who were calling for abstinence from alcohol at that time). The controvesy aided the popularity of the card and two printings totalling 2050 cards sold in 1843 for one shilling each. The first printing was 1000 copies. On November 24, 2001 this specific copy of this card sold for £ 22, 500 at auction at Henry Aldridge and Son in Devizes, Wiltshire. Date: 1843
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 27970032
© Henry Aldridge & Son Ltd. / Mary Evans
1840s Annual Aunt Char Cole Commercial Granny Hand Coloured Horsley Marian Office Phenomenon Success Treasury Callcott Cundall Summerly
16"x24" (61x41cm) Metal Print
Step into the captivating world of history with our Media Storehouse Metal Prints featuring the iconic "First Christmas Card" design by John Callcott Horsley. This exquisite piece of art, commissioned by Henry Cole in 1843, marks the beginning of a cherished holiday tradition. Bring the beauty and significance of this historical moment into your home or office with our high-quality metal prints, meticulously crafted to preserve every intricate detail of Horsley's masterpiece. Elevate your decor and ignite conversations with this unique and thoughtful addition to your space.
Made with durable metal and luxurious printing techniques, our metal photo prints go beyond traditional canvases, adding a cool, modern touch to your space. Wall mount on back. Eco-friendly 100% post-consumer recycled ChromaLuxe aluminum surface. The thickness of the print is 0.045". Featuring a Scratch-resistant surface and Rounded corners. Backing hangers are attached to the back of the print and float the print 1/2-inch off the wall when hung, the choice of hanger may vary depending on size and International orders will come with Float Mount hangers only. Finished with a brilliant white high gloss surface for unsurpassed detail and vibrance. Printed using Dye-Sublimation and for best care we recommend a non-ammonia glass cleaner, water, or isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to prevent harming the print surface. We recommend using a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe off the print. The ultra-hard surface is scratch-resistant, waterproof and weatherproof. Avoid direct sunlight exposure.
Made with durable metal and luxurious printing techniques, metal prints bring images to life and add a modern touch to any space
Estimated Product Size is 61.5cm x 41.2cm (24.2" x 16.2")
These are individually made so all sizes are approximate
Artwork printed orientated as per the preview above, with landscape (horizontal) orientation to match the source image.
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This beautiful and historic Christmas card, designed by English Academic painter and illustrator John Callcott Horsley in May 1843, marks the inception of the commercially produced and printed Christmas card tradition. Commissioned by English civil servant and inventor Henry Cole and collaborating with London publisher Joseph Cundall, this hand-colored lithograph was the first of its kind to be mass-produced and sold, with the intention of making the holiday greeting more accessible to the general public. The card, which reads "A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to You," was sent by Henry and Marian Cole to their relatives, Granny and Aunt Char. However, the image of a family enjoying a glass of wine together raised controversy amidst the UK temperance movement, who were advocating for abstinence from alcohol at the time. The ensuing debate only served to increase the popularity of the cards, with two printings totalling 2050 cards sold in 1843 for one shilling each. This specific copy of the card, which bears the signatures of Henry and Marian Cole, sold for an impressive £22,500 at auction on November 24, 2001, at Henry Aldridge and Son in Devizes, Wiltshire. A testament to the significance of this early Christmas card, it remains a cherished piece of holiday history and a reminder of the enduring tradition of sending festive greetings to loved ones.
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