Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-07
CHRISTMAS SOUVENIRS.
Pretty and Novel Designs in Cards and
Books.

A while before the holidays last year II
was said that the pretty custom OF send
ing Christmas and New Years cards was
dying out. When the holiday season
came on though, mail carriers and Post
masters said there were tons and tons
more of souvenirs being sent than ever
before. The custom seems destined not
TO be crowded out until the popular taste
is given something still prettier.
The local dealers are getting in their
stocks and some have already opened their
goods. The principal dealers in Savannah
/ are Schreiner. Davis Bros. Common, and
Wylly & Clarke. All of these firms will
have full stocks. Davis Bros. were ar
ranging their stock on Saturday when
asked something about the styles for this
year.
The greatest demand is expected to
be for hand-painted satin panels" said
one otthe firm. zone reason is they will be
/ cheaper this year than ever before. 1t used
10 be that pro essional artists were en-
! plOyed 10 paint the SATIN. When anna
! Tours learned that there was money in IL
/ they worked for less than professionals,
and now painters can be obtained for S. a
/ day who can paint panel an hour from
/ a copy. The work has an element OF
| erudeness, but it Is genuine hand paint
/ ing from an original that, perhaps, cost
/ 500, while the copy does not bring more
I than 81 or IS. In designs there are easels,
| fans, palettes, PLAQUES, squares, hearts,
| and diamonds, with lace or fringe trim
ming around the edge"
/ Prang has something pretty and novel
| in birch scrolls. On one OF these Is
/ satin panel with bunch of pansies and
vioiets. Flowers and uncostumed cher
/ ubs are favorite subjects. Prang's first
prize is plain square card with pic
tuTe representing little girl seated on
the floor, and gazing thOughtfully at the
glowing Goals in the open CRATE. The
scene is "a Christmas Vision" and in
the dancing lights and shadows
the little one's Imagination pictures
the fur-rObed saint OF saints with his
troop of reindeer steeds, and tree laden
with gifts. On the reverse side are appr0-
pirate verses.
Victorious Love-" the second prize,
represents the "Mother and Infant" with
five angels standing over them. "The
Heavenly Message" aud CANCEL Voices"
are other beautiful cards from Prang's.
The former shows an angel flying above
the towers and steeples OF an old town,
with a sapphIre-blue and star-gemmed
sky as background. The Angel Voices"
is four sweet-faced children peeping
fan, with a basket of lilies Of the valley
and wild pansies painted by hand on
satin plaque is quite pretty. The fan sets
up easel fashion.
Another card. which is said to be hui.
mOrOus, represents a company of sleepy
owls in a semi-circle with one owl on q
branch looking down. In the foreground
is a tender young owl with closed eyes,
receiving the attentions Of stalwart
he HI
legend underneath says:
Look on this tender loving pair,
And see the lesson written there.
When fond affection sheds its raw
How pleasant Is our Christmas Day.
''ThOmas concerts' Ia the title OF
double panel on a square card. The first
scene is a snow covered roof on which
half dozen felines are singing some soft
lay.
The opposite panel shows a bootjack
sailing from q neighboring window down
upon the chorus, which is just scattering
for a safer place IN which to finish the re-
hearsal. Beneath is the line from Romeo
and Juliet, "Wilt thou be gomez 1t is not
yet near day."
Marine views are numerous, but in
most cases lack the bleakness which il Is
supposed should predOmlnate in Christ
mas souvenirs. Winter landscapes and
AsAASo arc uCiuAuCA III VIII uOWGEb uY
way Of setting.
a cheaper grade is the satin cushion or
panel on which a picture is pasted. Cush-
ions are sold to retailers for from 15c. TO
soc. each, and the purchaser has 70 paw
twice as much. There is a little trick in
this trade Of satin cushions not vet
learned by the public. The words which
indicate the occasion Of the gift are on a
bit OF ribbon tied daintily on one corner
Of the ornament. One is marked "Christ-
mas Greeting" and another "Joyous
Christmas" in gilt letters on white silk
ribbon. II the panel is not sold on Christ
mas it will be seen before Jan. l with
"New Years Greeting" or Joyous New
Year." and again, II the purchaser has
not come along, at the latter part of Lent
the same trumpery will turA up with
easter Greeting" or "Joyous Easter'' on
1t, and so finally it Is shuffled Of.
Something quite pretty is a number OF
panel pictures, some hand painted aud
others Photographic copies, tied together
with ribbon, making an unique little
book, each card having on its back an APP
propriate line.