This is a copy of the first known commercially produced Christmas card. John Calcott Horsley, a British painter, designed the card in May 1843, for Henry Cole, a British civil servant and entrepreneur. Apparently, two batches totaling 2,050 cards were printed, and sold later that year for 1 shilling each. There are believed to be about 10-12 of the cards surviving.
Rather than the more modern idea of a wintery scene (which has no meaning in December in the southern hemisphere!), the card apparently depicts three generations of a family, with some of them raising a toast of wine to the card's recipient. The scenes on either side show food and clothing being given to the poor.
God jul och gott nytt år!
A more recent wine (well okay, booze)-related artwork Christmas greeting card.
ReplyDeleteReleased in the U.S. in the 1990s?
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nlb1jdsdJxk/R9B1vsBXDBI/AAAAAAAAAC4/nfKehlL9GdY/s1600/WiseGuys.jpg