CHRISTMAS GREETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14250, 22 December 1909, Page 4

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS.

WILDMAN AND AREY'S DEPOT. That Wildman and Arcy's postcard depot, Victoria Arcade, is a recognised rendezvous for the selection of Christmas souvenirs has been established beyond question ever since the despatch of the season's greetings commenced. Far from any falling off in this old-time custom, the sentiment which prompts it appears to gather strength as the years go by, and Messrs. Wildman and Arey have bad excellent testimony of the fact. They have a remarkably extensive and well-chosen assortment of popular poctic Christmas cards, pictorial calendars, and Christmas postcards, the latter being the latest idea in Christmas mementos. As for prices, they vary from the modest sum of Id to half a guinea, which latter figure secures a handsome souvenir, fit for interchange between royalties. " All the different varieties are selling rapidly," Mr. Arey remarked to a Herald reporter yesterday, " and the six lady attendants in this department are experiencing a busy time." In the wing devoted to a comprehensive display of classics there was also considerable call for attention on the part of customers. and although the stock is far too abounding to approach exhaustion in any one set of works, the present extensive demand will necessitate a process of replenishing. Wildman and Aroy's is to Auckland what Cole's Book Arcade is to Melbourne. The classics include the works of every ancient and modern writer of note; they are got up in a variety of bindings and sizes, and the prices range accordingly. As an instance, the rubyat of Omar Khayyam may bo had in a vest pocket edition for something, liko Is, or in a beautifully bound and illustrated book costing 30s. In still another department. are largo selections of annuals, including the Boys' Own Paper," the "Girls' Own Paper, ' " Chums," " Chatterbox," "Young England," etc. The tastefully-ar-ranged window displays give further index to the contents of the ever-growing stock. Notable among these are fancy leather goods of all descriptions, fountain-pens, arid diarys for the budding year.