Guide to the Victorian and Edwardian Greeting Card Collection
Special Collections & Archives
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8326
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: Victorian and Edwardian Greeting Card Collection
Creator:
California State University, Northridge. University Library
Identifier/Call Number: SC.VEGC
Extent:
0.42 linear feet
Date (inclusive): ca.1850-1910
Abstract: Greeting cards, often sent as part of
holiday celebrations, became popular in Great Britain and the United States in the 19th
century. They gradually replaced letters due to improvements in printing technology and the
mail service in both countries. These ready-made cards served to help people share
well-wishes in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, when expressing feelings in person might be
seen as inappropriate. This collection contains examples of greeting cards to be exchanged
for various holidays, including Christmas, New Year's, and Valentine's Day, as well as
several examples of birthday cards. The Christmas and New Year's cards are notable in that
they often feature animals, flowers, fairies, or children rather than the wintry or
religious themes that are more common today.
Language of Material: English
Historical Note:
The library created this collection of materials for study and research.
Scope and Contents
Greeting cards, often sent as part of holiday celebrations, became popular in Great Britain
and the United States in the 19th century. They gradually replaced letters due to
improvements in printing technology and the mail service in both countries. These ready-made
cards served to help people share well-wishes in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, when
expressing feelings in person might be seen as inappropriate. This collection contains
examples of greeting cards to be exchanged for various holidays, including Christmas, New
Year's, and Valentine's Day, as well as several examples of birthday cards. The Christmas
and New Year's cards are notable in that they often feature animals, flowers, fairies, or
children rather than the wintry or religious themes that are more common today.
Related Material
Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use:
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of
this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge.
Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires
the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any
use rests exclusively with the user.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchase, 10/10/2016
Preferred Citation:
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style
manual, or see the
Citing Archival
Materials
guide.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ephemera
Box 1, Folder 3
Christmas, decorated cards
Box 1, Folder 4
Christmas, multi-fold cards
Box 1, Folder 6
Christmas, single-fold cards
Box 1, Folder 7
Christmas, single-fold decorated cards
Box 1, Folder 10
New Years multi-fold cards
Box 1, Folder 11
New Years single-fold cards
