Call Number:

Item 0031

Repository:

University of Delaware Library Special Collections

Extent:

1 volume (circa 50 pages)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

MSS 0093, Item 0031, Nineteenth-century British scrapbook of greeting cards, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.

Date:

1872-1879 (inclusive)

Creator:

Creator unknown

Form:

Greeting cards, Christmas cards, Easter cards, Valentines, Fairy tales, Printed ephemera, and Juvenilia

Abstract:

This nineteenth-century British scrapbook of greeting cards bears a red leather cover embossed with black design and lettering, titled "ALBUM." The scrapbook album features Christmas, New Years, Easter, and Valentine greeting cards with most captioned with the year and name of the friend or relative who sent the card. There are some die-cut color images of flowers, children, and ladies. One series of nine collectible scraps illustrates "Snow White" and each of the scenes bears a narrative caption.

This scrapbook of greeting cards was created by an unknown individual, likely a child. Dated contents indicate that this scrapbook was compiled between 1872 and 1879. Many greeting cards were printed in London and the album includes a stationer’s label from Chelmsford, suggesting this scrapbook was created in England.

Biographical information derived from collection.

This nineteenth-century British scrapbook of greeting cards bears a red leather cover embossed with black design and lettering, titled "ALBUM." The scrapbook album features Christmas, New Years, Easter, and Valentine greeting cards with most captioned with the year and name of the friend or relative who sent the card. There are some die-cut color images of flowers, children, and ladies. One series of nine collectible scraps illustrates "Snow White" and each of the scenes bears a narrative caption.

The album, with beveled boards, is in very good condition. The end papers are bright orange, in sharp clash with the subdued red cover. A stationer’s label in the front is from"Clarke Printer & Bookseller, Chelmsford." A few of the greeting cards within are printed by Joseph Mansell, London, and Marcus Ward & Co., an Irish printer and publisher that had established a London office by 1867.

The compiler of this album carefully dated and identified the sender of each card, though most of these are identified as "Aunt Hannah," "Aunt Jane," "Aunt Sarah," or by first name of other friends.