Greetings card, John Callcott Horsley, 1843, England. Museum no. MSL.3293-1987. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
“A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.”
That was the message on the first Christmas card in London, sent over 80 years ago in 1843. Commissioned by Sir Henry Cole, the card featured artwork by John Callcott Horsley and was lithographed on stiff, dark cardboard and hand-coloured.
Fast forward to 2020 and sending Christmas Cards is still as popular as ever. According to a YouGov poll commissioned by Royal Mail, one in ten adults are planning to send festive greetings, with 55% stating that Christmas cards are even more important now we are in a pandemic.
The Printing Charity Christmas card design 2020
This year, The Printing Charity’s Christmas card design is by Melissa Carne, a 2020 Print Futures Award winner. The bold images incorporate the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colour palette used in printing.
Thanks to the help of Precision Proco, we’re able to send over 750 warm wishes to our beneficiaries, supporters, members, and partners. We hope the bright and cheery Christmas card will bring a smile to people’s faces when it lands in the post.