Xmas card – cantilever bridge, St. John, NB – R G Wilson collection
Toronto. Sweltering weather last week and more forecast for next week. We seem to be getting a preview of the effect of climate change! Phew!
After the recent rash of camera posts, it’s time to give the other side – image collectors – a nod. Issue 24-3 issued late in 1998 featured a selection of store Christmas greetings in the form of photo postcards made from cabinet card images.
The idea of postcard size photo Christmas cards was still popular in the later 1950s when I used just such a card with a photograph of a billboard-size antenna used to bounce ‘microwaves’ off the troposphere.
The late Robert Lansdale featured a sampling of these old ‘greeting’ cards in the column, “Images of the Month”. Bob writes. “Photographers made use of the cabinet print during the late 1800s to drum up Christmas sales, being replaced by post cards after 1900. We offer East and West greetings showing a variety of styles.
“Barraud Brothers of Barrie, Ontario (1881-1887) were influenced by Japanese art in the preparation of their card with a customer’s portrait.
“C.W. Mathers ran this ad in the Edmonton Bulletin from December 1 to 29 in 1899 encouraging customers to call early for a choice of local scenery. In 1898 he offered cards at “30¢ and 40¢. Souvenir of Edmonton district for 65¢ each; $5.75 a dozen; $3 half doz. Edmonton Diamond Jubilee Souvenir 50¢.”
“The all-season scenic photograph promoting St. John, N.B. became seasonal with a Merry Xmas greeting printed to the card stock.
“The Wm. Notman studios in Halifax, N.S. catered to the naval detachment with an art and photo composite bearing a view of HMS Blake.
“A 1911 Christmas card from “C” Division – Battleford, Saskatchewan of the RNWM Police is a composite of crossed revolvers and photos of base activities, gymnasts, officers and facilities. Signed by Nicholson, most likely John Nicholson of Boissevain 1890-1894 and Moosomin until 1919.
“A new portrait offered timely greetings on the card of J.G. Parks of Montreal, Quebec”.
Members can easily see the cards too by viewing the issue 24-3 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See above or at right. It’s easy to join the PHSC. And the cost is cheap but well worth it. Questions? Email Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.
