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First ever Christmas card on show in Shropshire
Friday 9th December 2011, 10:59AM GMT.
Blists Hill postman Hugh Simmons pictured with the first-ever Christmas card
The world’s first Christmas card got the stamp of approval from a Shropshire museum as visitors were able to catch a close-up glimpse of the rare artefact.
The custom of exchanging cards did not start until 1843 and the first Christmas card was sent by civil servant Henry Cole.
He commissioned 1,000 cards and used the ones he needed before selling the rest for 6d each.
One of Cole’s original 1843-produced cards, which is held in a collection of the British Postal Museum and Archive, went on display today in The Post Office at Blists Hill Victorian Town, in Ironbridge.
Anna Flood, archivist, was also on hand to answer questions about the history of Christmas cards. Visitors could get a glimpse of the rare card from midday until 3pm. A replica of the card will now go on display at the Blists Hill Post Office throughout December for everyone to enjoy.
The card was designed by John C Horsley and was printed lithographically and then hand-coloured. Of the 1,000 printed very few are known to remain in existence.
Anna Flood said: “There is nowhere better to let people see the world’s first Christmas card than in a Victorian Post Office. We are sure that people will have a greater understanding of the history of Christmas cards by seeing the replica.”
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