American Christmas cards, 1900-1960

About this book

"Christmas cards have been called 'little messengers of good will,' but that charming description over-simplifies these complicated artifacts, which were once central features of an almost compulsory seasonal ritual of exchange in the United States. These small bits of paper or cardstock feature combinations of words and images intended to convey both greetings and feelings. Words were an essential part of the message, but images were far more potent. From their earliest days, Christmas cards creatively exploited the power of images to elicit emotions and evoke clusters of meanings rich in social and psychological resonance. This book is the first to offer a systematic survey of Christmas card imagery. Like Christmas itself, which embraces many disparate beliefs, customs, and activities of multiple origins, the images on Christmas cards are both numerous and varied {u2013} from candles and poinsettias to Sans Claus and the three kings, from snowy winter scenes to warm hearths in cozy cottages. This study of cards used in the United States during the first half of the twentieth century enriches our understanding not only of the American Christmas but also of significant aspects of the larger American culture." {u2013}- Book Jacket.