The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-01-04
Christmas Cards.

1t is impossible to omit mention
among the fashions of the times of the
Christmas cards and other books and
stationery fancies, which have made a
permanent place, and have become so
important q source of revenue. 1t is,
perhaps. five or six years ago since
young lady, who had already done some
good artistic work, sat in publishers
Office trying in vain to get an idea he had
in his mind, as an attraction for the holt
her that he wanted "picture" children,
not fashionplate children, and she had
hastily sketched some conventional
youngsters in conventional fancy
dresses, but he shook his head and
looked perplexed, while she idly drew
sort of Little Red Ridinghood" figure
on the sheet of paper in her lap. The
publisher saw the large bonnet and long
cloak-"That is what want" he said;
something like that, only more so; in
short, the common dress of the last cen
fury put on the pretty, chubby babies of
to-day" II think l understand" said
the young lady; and that was the begin
ming of the children's renaissance-the
revival of old ideas in this country in
the book and Christmas card world. The
young artist made thousand dollars by
her holiday sketches, and went abroad
with it, fulfilling the dream of her life;
and since then thousands of others have
made still more by taking the same idea
and working it over in thous-
and different ways. We need only to
look at the card of to-day and compare
it with the first crude specimens to dis
cover how much art and skill have done
to develop its possibilities, and also
what rewards it has brought to
the workers. Two thousand
dollars was received by Miss Dora
Wheeler for the first prize design of the
present season, and there are many who
do not take prizes that still enable their
authors of them young women
to earn honorable livelihood. The
range, however, is constantly widening,
add the efforts becoming more ambitious.
Individual designs, etched or hand
painted, and not duplicated, are now
produced upon ivory and satin, and
bring all the way from five to fifty dol
lars-well- artists not disdaining
to sign their names to them. Very IN
teresting and important also are the ex-
cellent Photographic reproductions Of
the etchings of recent masters, to be fol-
lowed by those of the antique schools.
This season. for the first time, flowers are
photographed in the colors of life and
though there is little harshness, or
hardness and unreality as yet, still there
is no doubt that time will perfect the
process, and render the pictured SEM
blance harmonious as well as true.
The most remarkable advance has
been made in igure-drawing, which now
shows exquisite examples in what is
known as "Kensington," and in the fif-
teenth, sixteenth and seventeenth cen.
fury costumes; but we shall owe still
more to the artists who will follow the
lead of the winner of the first prize OF
las: year-Elihu Vedder-and give us
heroic women, women who deserve to
stand rs types and representatives OF the
genius of women in the past and the
present. In the meantime let us be
thankful for the pleasant Christmas
fashion and seud cards. 1t is we'll to he
remembered aud to remember, even
through so simple medium as a card or
"leahet' and now there is surely an OPP
portunity in lovely, quaint maidens, in
rural, homecoming and moonlight
scenes. in glowing interiors, i'll the
sweetness OF flowers and the captivating
innocence of childhood to suit all tastes.