The History of Greeting Cards
At Wyld Cards we love greeting cards, they have been around for centuries, serving as tokens of love, friendship, and celebration. Their history is rich and varied, tracing back to ancient civilizations and evolving alongside technological advancements and cultural shifts. Let me provide you with a small insight in to how the greeting card has been a consistent form of communication in our lives!
The Origins: A very, very, very long time ago
The concept of sending and receiving greetings is not new but has been around for donkeys! The earliest known form of a greeting card dates to ancient Egypt. It is believed that Egyptians exchanged messages on papyrus scrolls, often inscribed with wishes for good fortune or remembrances of important events. Similarly, to ancient China, where people sent New Year’s greetings on slips of paper, a tradition that was known to eventually influence the form and concept of a greeting card.
The Middle Age: Handmade love cards
It wasn’t until the Middle Ages when Europe embraced a greeting card! It’s most popular greeting card at this time was the apparently the Valentine’s Day. The oldest known Valentine’s card dated back to 1415, and the first Valentine’s card was known to have been written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London! How romantic! These early cards would have been hand-illustrated with elaborate decorations. However, due to the labour-intensive process of creating these cards, they were known to be luxury item for the wealthiest of people.
The 18th and 19th Centuries: The rise of the commercial card
The practice of sending and receiving greeting cards began to develop in the 18th century with the start of more affordable printing methods. In 1843, was the creation of the first commercial Christmas card, commissioned by a Sir Henry Cole, who was a British civil servant. This simple but beautiful message was designed by John Callcott Horsley, that featured a simple illustrated greeting message of “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” Marking the start of mass production that was more affordable for everyone to embrace and enjoy.
By the mid-19th century, advances in printing technology, made it easier to produce cards in large quantities. The expansion of the postal service also contributed to the popularity of greeting cards, as it became easier and cheaper to send them across distances.
The 20th Century: A Greeting Card pandemic
The 20th century saw the golden age of greeting cards. Hallmark was founded in 1910 and were one of the first companies who began mass-producing a wide variety of cards for every occasion. With the popularity of a postcard and in the invention of a coloured printer, greeting cards were being made and enjoyed for every occasion. By the mid-20th century, sending greeting cards had become a deep-rooted tradition, with cards being exchanged by everyone for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and any other significant life event.
The Digital Age: A 21st Century Greeting Card
The digital revolution has just transformed the greeting card industry. While traditional paper cards remain popular, e-cards have gained popularity, offering a quick and eco-friendly alternative. I think most of us have now put our face to a dancing digital Elf and a had a little chuckle and passed the fun on. Luckily for all us greeting cards creators despite the rise of digital communication, physical greeting cards continue to hold their own sentimental value, and continue to provide an expression of care and thoughtfulness to others.
In conclusion, Wyld Cards are here to continue to celebrate greeting cards, from ancient Egyptian scrolls to modern digital e-cards, the history of greeting cards is a testament to humanity’s enduring desire to connect. Whether handwritten or mass-produced, these cards have served as a bridge between people, conveying messages of love, gratitude, and celebration across time and distance. As we continue to celebrate life and love, greeting cards remain a timeless way to share our deepest sentiments with those we most cherish.
