The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-01-01
CHRISTMAS CARDS.
The latest Novelties Prepared Tor the
Holiday Season.

They are giving US heaps OF new
things this year, in the shape OF pretty
nothines. The Christmas cards Will
be on sale soon, and they are more
beautiful than ever" said book man
Yesterday to reporter.
'eThere are many new Things IN
bronzes. The newest OF these Is an
unique cigar basket, and is intended to
be filled with cigars and passed around
the table with coffee at the close OF
dinner. The basket is curious affair
OF polished bronze open ware OF cher
ubs and grotesque heads, and has SIX
compartments, the partitions OF which
are odd designs of scroll work, gently
Sioping upward and terminating IN
cherubs' heads at common center.
An antique spirit lamp OF polished
bronze accompanies the basket. An-
cient sconces. too. are made much more
elaborate this year. By the way. l
noticed Saturday description of He,
She, Ii, the new and fine imitation of
an old Egyptian work. That's fine
and elaborate imitation, but the copies,
| understand, cost half $5 note. We
have an idea that We furnish something
| almost as ancient for less money
Just here the gentleman dived into
the showcase and brought out bundle
of paper that made ones hand Mt once
seek ones nose. 1t looked Us though
somebody had been cruising around
away up the s.River Time" and in the
course Of his rambling had landed on
the elsie of Long Ago." unearthei and
titled the writing-desk of Cleopatra or
Helen of Troy. The peculiar musty
color which is generally given paper
only by the '.years in the sheaf rs t.ey
come and 90" was on this bundle.
This effect was heightened by the rag
ged edges seeming to have been eaten
away by the ravages of time. So true
to nature are the ancient and time-eaten
edges that it requires no great stretch
of the credulity to imagine this the very
I paper on which the fair belle of POM
peii lined notes to her lovers. The
4 paper is called Pompeiian, and comes
in octave and commercial sizes.
In Christmas cards the manufactur-
ers and designers have outdOne them
selves this year. In these fayors BAN
ners and bannerets occupy prominent
places. There is star card in two
designs. One of these represents the
child Christ playing with lambs sur
rounded by cherubs; the other shows
a church interior with rosy-cheeked
children singing carols within the star,
while the star itself is surrounded with
holly and merry Christmas bells. The
backs of these cards are 0rnamented
with Il conventional design of drapery.
with picturesque winter scene in the
background. These designs are brigh,
and pretty. They are made either with
plain edges or bordered with rich
silken fringe.
There is another pretty set in three
floral designs. One is a bunch OF the
thistlcs of old Scotland, another is the
sweet-scented clover, while third is 8
bunch Of the beautiful golden rod and
| asterS. These, like the cards mention
ed above are shown either with plain
edges or bordered with sitken fringe
Another very pretty design is made out
, of the cards in this set by combining
two of them in book form, and orna
menting the combination thus formed
with richly-colOred satin fringe an,
silken tassels. No adequate idea OF thu
richness and beauty, or the artistic
manner in which the different color!
and materials harmonic and blend to
gether, can be obtained from any il
lustration in prosaic black and white.
In addition to these, there are man.
other beautiful cards. which includ
some very unique and pretty designs
Among these are four oil Ohromo de
signs, representing different member
of the animal Kingdom as rejoicin!
over the good will ami cheer of Christ
mas day. One has an old bear, wit
its front paws, which serve as its arms
loaded with holly. dancing before tw
cute little cubs in clumsy glee; anothe
bears three sedate owls perched befOr
book of music, from which they ar
chanting with solemn gladness hymn
of praise; third has a timid hare an
ungainly turtle wishing each other
merry Christmas, while the fourth req
resents two playful Kittens gravel
seated before book. from which the
are singing a tender s'mew-"sic i
honor of the day. The back of each G
: these cards is beautifully illuminate
: with design representing a most sol
emn-looking owl perched upon one c
the horns of a crescent which is NOV
ing through light. Heecy clouds. Tn
other Specimens are equally as line an
beautiful, and together form as prett
line of these cards as has yet bee
brought out 49,