You know it was not that long ago when printing was not affordable to the masses and it was products and services like the Christmas Card and the Post Office that took printing down another road – where it was accessible to everyone. Do you want to know how the Christmas Card got its start? The custom of sending Christmas cards was started in England in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole – a civil servant who helped set-up the Public Record Office (now the Post Office). He was fascinated by the way people communicated and wondered how this new service could be used by more people. So, he, along with his artist friend John Horsley designed the first Christmas Card and voila the tradition was started.
It was in the 1840s that Christmas Cards appeared in the U.S. Of course, they were very expensive and most people could not afford them until Louis Prang an American printer started mass producing cards so people could afford to buy them. In 1915, John C. Hall and two of his brothers created Hallmark Cards and the rest is history.
Our team is thankful for those who came before us and made printing not only an art but a service all could use and enjoy! So, when you open your mailbox this season, and take out a card from a friend or a loved one, think of all that came before to make this such a rich tradition. Enjoy!
