CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR 1893.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 43, 28 October 1893, Page 350

CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR 1893.

A MAGNIFICENT SELECTION

IT seems early to think of Christmas and its consequent duties and festivities, but the approach of Yule-time is forced on our attention very pleasantly by the exhibition of Christmas and New Year cards, which must be sent Home by one of the numerous mails leaving during the next fortnight or so if they are to arrive in the old country on or about Christmas day. For years past the fashion of sending annual greetings by means of Christmas and New Year cards has been on the increase. The demand has in each succeeding season been increased, and the rival producers have vied with each other in lavish expenditure to secure the most tasteful designs and the most exquisite finish. Thi« season the battles of the giant firms of Raphael Tuck and Faulkner have resulted in the production of THE LARGEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL SERIES OF CHRISTMAS CARDS ever published. In beauty and originality of design, in

very artistic background. On raising the flowers the card opens displaying suitable words. Here it may be mentioned that there is a marked improvement in this departure. The words are sensible, not the absurd sentimental doggerel of a year or so ago. A card chosen at random has the following : — ‘Your pathway run unbroken Through fair and pleasant ways, A sunny dawn betoken A year of sunny days. The Photogravure Series will capture people who don’t object to a good price for a really good thing. They are beautiful reproductions in French photogravure of famous pictures. One, of Cupids playing tennis, is specially delightful, but each one of these photogravures makes one break the tenth commandment. Hand coloured cards there are in profuse variety. They are, of course, more expensive than the printed catds, but they are worth the extra money. Some hand-painted celluloid folding cards are particularly chaste, and will without doubt meet with a ready sale. Since there are an endless variety, and only one of each, it would be useless to describe them separately. The whole celluloid series is charming. The Woodland Series is a novelty. They may be described as built-up cards —a church or some building in the background, with trees, etc., raised in finest of powdered cork. The effect is novel, and will attract many. The SALON AND MOSAIC SERIES both comprise some of the most beautiful designs we have seen The borders of the cards are very rich, looking as if they had been sculptured out. They are all folding cards, and present a singularly beautiful appearance when opened out.