A wonderfully atmospheric antique Christmas card dating precisely to Christmas 1914, with a beautiful pastoral scene of a shepherd leading his flock through a wooded landscape.

Much larger and more substantial than the usual Christmas card, it measures approximately 14 × 20 cm and has the feel of a small presentation booklet. The softly coloured cover depicts sheep wandering along a woodland track, with their shepherd in the distance, dressed in a tiny flash of red and blue. The muted greens, mauves and greys are particularly lovely.

Inside is the original printed Christmas greeting:

“Where’er life’s road may lead you,

Whichever path you take,

Good fortune never leave you,

Nor happiness forsake.”

Followed by Christmas and New Year wishes from Jabez Stringer, with his address printed as 16 Speenham Road, Brixton, S.W., and importantly, “Xmas, 1914.”

There is also a surviving pale mauve silk ribbon, threaded through the card, a particularly charming original detail.

The date gives this piece an added poignancy. Christmas 1914 fell only a few months after the outbreak of the First World War, making the imagery of a journey, good fortune and safe passage especially evocative.

Condition

Antique condition with age-related wear, marks and some rubbing to the cover and edges. The silk ribbon is worn and frayed in places, and there is a small punched hole associated with the original ribbon fastening. The interior has light foxing and signs of age. Please see photographs, all of which form part of the description.

A beautiful survivor, ideal for a collection of antique ephemera, early Christmas cards, First World War era paper goods, or simply for displaying amongst old books and papers.

Date: Christmas 1914

Dimensions: approx. 14 × 20 cm

Material: Printed card/paper with silk ribbon

Origin: England

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