National Republican., 1884-04-08
EASTER CARDS.
A Thousand Different Memorials Of the Riser
Christ on Exhibition.
Sketch of the Growth OF This Industry
It's Introduction Into This Country.

The display of Easter cards and novelties
this season is by far superior to any hereto
fore exhibited. Human ingenuity has evil
IDENTIFY been largely taxed to supply tho de-
mand for such memorials judging from the
hundreds of designs on sale of all Sizes col
ors, and methods of ornamentation. 1t is an
accepted fact that the demand for these COM
modites is rapidly increasing, and already
the firms engaged in their manufacture arc
all the year on tho lookout for now ideas in
this branch Of art. The best articles are i'm
ported from Paris and London. For some
reason the American firms do not
enter into the elaborate design
and competition, though in plain
work great taste is seen. The manufacture
Of cards and novelties is carried on to great
extent in London. One largo firm there ad-
vertises every year for prize cards, the accep-
ted one winning tho prize and all the rest
becoming the property of tho firm. Thousands
Of designs are thus yearly sent tho firm for
their selection. The business has become n
very lucrative one. Over 100000 cards are
printed from each design, and commercial
travellers arc sent everywhere to solicit sales.
Paris is recognized as being the leading mart
for such articles, and in design and finish the
French surpass all others. The Partisan
work Is entirely by hand and all manner of
tasteful things are thus made. Among tho
large establishments devoted to this kind
Of work arc Raphael Tuck &
Sons, Prang's, and Marcus Ward, all of
London, and they have been many years
engaged in tho business and enjoy q healthy
rivalry. At one time the sales Of these cards
were confined entirely to churches and Sun
day schools, but of late years wider field
has been found, and consequently attention
has been paid to them in another di-
rection. A secular rs well as u relig-
ious market has been catered to. The
importation of these goods into this coun-
try has been very large with correspond
ing sales at this early date. Orders from
Sunday schools have been larger than at any
previous season. Tho prices range from q
few cents up to largo sum, and the high
priced novelties seem TO find as ready sale as
the cheap ones. 1t would be q difficult task
to describe these things of beauty, as they
have been made into every conceivable form
and style.
From Paris comes long gilded wooden
spoon, with n richly hand painted nest egg
in tho scoop, and tied around the shank o
rich cardinal or a blue ribbon bow. Another
is q card, with wreath of natural fern em-
bedded in satin, with decorations of ribbon.
A pretty conception is an old Mother Hub
bard ogg and bonnet, A very handsome
design is q square frame of plush aud satin,
with folding doors of the same material and
inside, encased in satin, is portrait on
porcelain of . fisher boy. Another novelty
consists Of a square-shaped bristol board
covered with satin and old gold, trimmed
with gold fringe, with hand-painted angels
playing upon tabrets and harps Others
represent memorial church windows. Some-
thing unique was seen in lovely hand
painted landscape op satin backed in plush,
and in corner sat canary above its nest
watching its eggs.
hnnY fo1l ka,,I AL
cross in plush, lined with satin, and entwin-
ing its arms were lilies of the valley. There
are many different devices of this class some
of them having painted decorations on rice
paper. A very captivating article is an
anchor of lilies of the valley on blue plush,
resting on an easel. Another pretty card
was of satin water lilies on q background of
satin Still another was d beautiful plush
cross in many colors, with frosted dove at
the top holding in it's mouth lilies of the
valley; ut the foot Is her nest.
Among other attractions are yellow duck
in o nest in blue saucer. chicken just
Rsbroken out of its egg is looking at its vacated
home in mute astonishment, Easter egg
thermometers birds mounted ON plaques and
easels, English mother Of pearl crosses, por-
celain portraits in framework of plush and
old lace, q blue plush slipper with nest eggs
in it, and above bird with q mirror placed
in the back.
hhuu-phinteu DlOtCcrb anu DOCK marks,
lilies, crosses, eggs &C., form still other novel
ties. A lovely design and one much favored
is brown plush frame, with hand-painted
cross and lilies on porcelain. Many are made
of swans down in several designs of satin.
Among the plain cards are designs of all
kinds mostly on square card board of all
shapes, Sizes and colors, representing apple
blossoms. pansies, daisies, morning glories,
violets, lilies of the valleys, trailing arbutus,
azaleas, Easter lilies, &C., in every instance
bearing suitable inscriptions from Scripture
or for the season. Handsome illuminated
cards form part of tho stock and many are
very beautiful. A very cheap and tasteful
present is q small plain gilt.edged card, in
corner of which tied with q ribbon bow is
tiny basket of violets.
Perfumed sachets, handsomely painted and
decorated in all Sizes are among the novel
ties. Musical instrument are improvised,
and banjo made of plush entwined with
artificial flowers and running vines ID much
admired, likewise tambourines and guitars.
In book form is one entitled, Easter
Flowers" being n poem on Easter flowers,
and illustrated with Easter lilies, vioets
trailing arbutus, and aZaleas.
Many Washington artists have contributed
their skill in this direction, and several ex-
cellent hand-paintcd designs on satin arc on
exhibition and sale, Nothing nicer could be
shown as memorial of the risen Christ than
many Of these works, appealing as they do
with their symbols to tho soul of His faithful
followers.
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