AngDesign

America

The first American Christmas card is thought to have been issued by R. H. Pease of New York, between 1850 and 1852, there was no apparent date on the lithograph, but due to careful research it was established that it was only between these two years that R. H. Pease lived in the building which was pictured on the card.  This card however would only appear to be a one off, and it is Louis Prang who is considered to be the 'Father of the American Christmas card'.

This card was designed by Louis Prang (I824 - 1909), in Boston.  It was not, however until late in 1873 at the suggestion of Arthur Ackerman of London, that Prang filled the spaces that were usually used for tile firms name with the words "Merry Christmas".  In 1873 Prang also reproduced a card autographed by Charles Dickens, for his family and friends.  The original of this card was painted by a Mrs. Whitney and was autographed by Charles Dickens.

                                                   Wolff Hagelberg

Another leading, publisher of cards at that time was Wolff Hagelberg of Berlin.  During the early 1860's Wolff Hagelberg’s London representative was A. Ankermann and after 1869 it was E. Falck.  His London branch was at 12 Bunhill Row, though from 1881, he also had an office in New York at 36 and 38 East 12th Street. Wolff Hagelberg's cards very often included pictures of guardian angels watching over children.  He also produced many novelty cards to commemorate the Colonial Exhibition at South Kensington in 1886, and another card that he designed was of a Punch and Judy Show, which showed in silhouette when it was held up to the light.

Marcus Ward

In 1867, a Belfast publisher, opened a London branch, which was known as Oriel House, Farringdon Street, and was designed by Thomas Crane (Walter Cranes brother), who later became their design director. Marcus Ward's firm had great success and in 1897 the firm were awarded the Gold Medal of the Victorian Era Exhibition, Earls Court.  This medal was awarded to them for their exhibit of lithography and stationery samples of their world famous Christmas cards, which were dated from 1867 to the present time.

Benjamin Sulman

Benjamin Sulman, of Upper Thames Street, London, and later of City Road and Warwick Lane, made small engraved, embossed and die stamped cards, which in many cases had 'lace' edges.  He is considered to be the second most ambitious Christmas card producer of the1860's.

Ollendorff, The Obpacher Brothers, Meggendorfer

Other German publishers of greetings cards were Bernhard Ollendorff of Berlin, the Obpacher Brothers of Munich, as well as the very highly successful Lothar Meggendorfer also of Munich, whose trick cards sold well in both London and America, from the 1870's to the1890's.