Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23
-HE Christmas card OF our grand
fathers, in a somewhat altered
and modernized form, is the
vogue again.

~HE Christmas card OF our grand
fathers, in a somewhat altered
and modernzed form, is the
vogue again.
Although custom full of sem
timent and we'll worthy of perDetuation,
for many years it's popularity seemed TO
wane and the occasional exchanges of the
vari-colored handsomely printed messen-
gers of peace on earth, good will to men,
was confined principally to children.
But the souvenir mailing card has
brought back the Christmas card again to
even a greater vogue than 1t enjoyed in the
long ago.
II a report could be obtained from the
various post office departments of the
world. it would be found that tons on tons
of the cards are now being mailed from all
parts of the world.
The traveller on the continent who has
twenty friends to whom he would send
word of greeting, but for which task he
cannot spare the time, adopts the easier
and quicker method OF buying a handful of
the magnificent Christmas cards exposed
for sale in every city OF Europe:
BY writing an address and affixing a
stamp. and under all putting his own sig
nature, he is able to show that he has not
forgotten.
distinguished English painter once said
that the Christmas card did more to spread
love of art than the Royal Academy.
This statement would particularly apply
this year for the cards far surpass in
beauty any designs ever before turned out.
Year by year the advance in art printing
goes on. and master craftsmen with pencil
and brush do not scrupie to lending their
scenes in which rotund white whiskered old
Santa Claus. the white clad Christ child,
the Yuetide and Christmas stocking, the
Christmas tree, the children receiving their
LII ~ H..
key and the snow-covered MOSES and ferns
OF the woods figure so prominently.
-
The Christmas card of the old days, while
It had the right sentiment. never reached
a very high art plane, but now a point has
been reached where the very best product
or artist and printer is none too good to
satisfy the public demand The pictures
that satisfied in the long ago would no
longer sell.
The only citizen who might bemoan the
vogue OF the Christmas card Is the over
worked postman. but we like to think, that
despite the extra labor 1t entails. he enters
a bit into the spirit OF the holiday, and gets
some pleasure out of being the bearer of
so much that gives joy.
II lie hasn't such philosophy he Is in for
very dismal time this year, for one prom
inent dealer in Christmas cards says that
his firm has prepared 1000 designs, half OF
firm employed 1900 persons during the holi-
day season. now it has 10000.
The postman might as well be cheerful
He Is In for an ordeal.
Christmas brings burdens to the letter
carrier, but it is often a life saver to the
artist. Many wielders of the brush, pencil
and pen would starve but for the rush of
work the Christmas card brings
The case Is related of two English art
lists. women. who realize annually about
5000 entirely made by painting picture
cards They have genuine talent In this
kind of work. and are kept at 1t perma-
nently.
The average artist gets q month or two
OF the work usually in midsummer or early
fall. This period OF the year IL really the
time when the average artist needs help
m0at. for 1t Is in the summer when his
calling 10 least remunerative
n every Christmas card could have on
4 H. signature Of Its artist, thers would