Louis Prang (1824 - 1909)
Image courtesy: Wikipedia
We all know how greatly Queen Victoria influenced our modern Christmas celebration - including that of Christmas cards - but how many of us remember that it was this man, Louis Prang, of French Huguenot ancestry, who brought the first printed Christmas Card to the American public? (I only recently learned it!) He immigrated to the United States in 1850 from Europe (he was born in Breslau which is today Wroclaw - Poland's fourth largest city) and settled in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1873 he created Christmas cards for the people of England and the following year, for the American public. Until that time printed Christmas cards were imported from Europe.
An Advertisement for Prang's Christmas Cards c. 1886
Image courtesy: Graphic Content (Library of Congress)
Hope you have a really lovely weekend!
Blessings!
Ann
19 comments:
I'm just so amazed! I've always loved Christmas cards but you've given me a whole new outlook and appreciation for them! :)
This advert featured here is beautiful and Mr. Prang was a very dignified-looking man, wasn't he?
Very interesting post. I have always loved choosing and receiving Christmas cards. I had an aunt who would save every card she received for Christmas and then sit by the fire on Christmas eve and open them all.
Hi Ann, thanks for stopping by and leaving your sweet comments! I learned something new from your blog this morning! Thanks for sharing this piece of History!
Have a blessed day! HUGS!
He would be shocked if he knew what an industry he created.
Ah, yes, somewhere I had read a history about this man before. I just love your site bringing all of this history about Christmas together.
How interesting!!! I did read about the first Christmas card (in Europe), but never about the first one in America!!
Till this day, one of my favorite things: Christmas cards!! sending and receiving :o) Nothing better than to send warm and well wishes all over the world. Mine have been sent already :o)
have a great day!
I love Christmas cards , but some of the newer ones are not so nice.I do like the old traditional ones better. and agin loving the history lessons.and all the bible study you are sharing with us.
Your blog is SO interesting. I am learning things every day! Thank you!
That's a lovely advertisement and how interesting that Christmas cards were imported from Europe until 1874
Some Christmas cards are really beautiful and not so with others. It was interesting seeing the history involved.
Isn't interesting how things came to be... I guess I sort of 'assume' we all got those sort of things around the same time, and yet some countries can lag behind others for years and years. It's amazing to find out the actual facts!
Happy weekend Ann. :)
Linda. x
How beautiful the old cards are! And so love learning about them at this time of year, Ann. Thank you for your kind words and wishing you a wonderful weekend. – g
Thanks Ann......
I'm so glad you stopped by my blog and commented--it's always fun making a new blogging friend. I've traveled over to your blog where I am enjoying some history about a subject that sounds very fascinating. I especially enjoyed this post about the Christmas cards this morning.....
Cheers,
Debi
It's funny that I've never really thought about who the inventor of christmas cards was :)
Your blog is so interesting! I learned something new from this post about Christmas cards. I am fascinated with history so I will have to stop back again. Thank you for stopping by Heart Choices this past week.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Dear Ann
Just getting back after having my computer in for repair.. I have alot of catching up to do here.
This art captures my heart.. Just beautiful. I always come away learning something when I visit.. I did not know that Louis Prang brought the first printed Christmas card to the American public.. Thank you for sharing.
I will return this evening to read the posts I have missed.. I will bring my tea.
Blessings,
Penny
I love the vintage Christmas cards. Very interesting post!
Dorothy
Thanks for sharing such an interesting post. Blessings
Nicky
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your site by accident, I bookmarked it.
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