Request to view

The object can be requested from the National Art Library

Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Christmas card : to Henry Cole / sent by John Callcott Horsley, "Xmasse 1843"

Christmas Card
[1843] (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

1 card; 80 x 130 mm.

Delve deeper

Discover more about this object
read The first Christmas card The V&A has had a special interest in collecting and displaying greetings cards since it was established. Our founding director, Henry Cole, sent the first Christmas card in 1843. We now hold the national collection of cards for all occasions, with over 30,000 examples, more than half of w...

Object details

Category
Object type
TitleChristmas card : to Henry Cole / sent by John Callcott Horsley, "Xmasse 1843"
Brief description
Hand-coloured lithograph, illustrating a feast scene and bearing the text, 'A merry Christmas and a Happy New Year', with spaces indicated for the names of sender and recipient.
Bears a manuscript greeting to Henry Cole, and an image of an artist, by way of signature.
John Callcott Horsley designed the Christmas card at the suggestion of Henry Cole (who used the name Felix Summerly for his manufacturing ventures). It was first printed in 1843. Commonly recognised as 'the first Christmas card'.
Physical description
1 card; 80 x 130 mm.
Production typeUnique
Production
Hand-coloured lithograph.
Other numbers
  • MSL.3293-1987 - NAL accession number
  • KRP.C.94 - NAL Pressmark
Collection
Library number
MSL/1987/3293

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdOctober 4, 2016
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest