Sir Henry Cole of England is
credited with instigating the first mass-produced Christmas greetings cards in
the 1840s. He commissioned a friend of his, John Calcott Horsley, an artist, to produce a thousand handmade
cards for Cole to distribute to his friends. John Horsley, created a three paneled card;
one panel depicting a happy family celebrating at a Christmas feast with the
panels on either side illustrated with poor and hungry people. The sentiment
was simple, "A Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year to You".
While Christmas cards have been used to share holiday
greetings since the 1840s most collectors agree that the golden years of
postcards were between 1900 and 1920. These are the most colorful, most
interesting and most valuable of the holiday postcards.
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| PASIG RIVER published by Photo Supply Co. (circa 1905) |
Collecting vintage Christmas postcards is a fun hobby that
can be enjoyed by anyone. I basically collect vintage Filipiniana Christmas
Postcards. I just really enjoy looking
at them and reading the little notes that were written on them so long ago. I
also like the views of forgotten rural scenes being used as greeting cards.
These Filipiana postcards are prized among collectors because of their beauty
and unique artwork.
My best suggestion to you if you are just getting started
collecting Christmas postcards is to choose the ones that you will really enjoy
having over the ones that might be more valuable today. Collectible item values
are funny. All collectibles are always only worth what someone is willing to
pay for them. I've purchased just about all of my vintage postcards by way of
eBay.
Here are some of the Yuletide postcards I have collected
over the years
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| LUNETA published by Photo Supply Co. (circa 1905) |
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| TYPICAL BAHAY KUBO (circa 1910) |
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| Nipa Houses along the Pasig River (circa 1905) |
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| A Typical Sailing Boat (circa 1910) |
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| A Sentry Box on the Old Spanish Wall Surrounding Manila (circa 1905) |
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| Farmers Planting Rice on the Country Side (circa 1915) |
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| Ilocos Sure Capitol - Vigan, From FIGAMO, Vigan (1920's) |
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| ANNETTE's Guest House and Cocktail Lounge, Baguio Philippines (1930's) |
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| Christmas Cheer w/ short Yultide poem (1930's) |
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! Keep on posting!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dennis. Wishing you all the best in the coming year. Happy blogging. Regards to you and your family. Ed
ReplyDeletehello! aside from ebay, are cards like these available in any shops you've come across? gusto ko rin po kasi mag-collect, pero so far mga studio photos ang mga nakikita ko. salamat!
ReplyDeleteHi Baki,
DeleteRarely you would see nice postcards here because of our climate. Try visiting Cubao Shoe Expo, they have some antique shops there. Also try to attend Bayanihan Collectors Club meeting (visit their FACEBOOK account), they have some nice postcards for sale. Ed
wow, this is such a wonderful collection of vintage christmas greetings. i love it! Thanks for sharing and wishing you a very merry Christmas!
ReplyDeletethis is so cool! I came across your blog while looking for vintage stores in the Philippines. Keep it up! How I wish I could see your collections in person.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is simply amazing! I'm awed at how devoted you are collecting this piece of treasure, simply one-of-a-kinf treasure of memories of holidays particularly Christmas. I commend you.
ReplyDeleteHave a great holiday!
Anne Walker
What to write in a Christmas card