A wonderfully evocative Edwardian postcard, showing a mother and little girl together beside a candlelit Christmas tree.

The softly coloured scene is particularly lovely, with the little girl standing on a chair and leaning towards her mother, surrounded by the glow of candles and simple decorations. Above them is the greeting “A Happy New Year To You”, with a short sentimental verse beneath.

The reverse is headed The Milton Post Card and retains its original halfpenny stamp, postmark and handwritten message. The divided back, halfpenny Edward VII stamp and overall style place this firmly in the early 1900s, Edwardian period.

A beautiful little piece of social history, and especially appealing for a collection of antique Christmas ephemera, early postcards or nostalgic festive imagery.

Details

Antique Edwardian postcard
Early 20th century, circa 1900s
The Milton Post Card
Colour printed illustration
Mother and child beside a candlelit Christmas tree
“A Happy New Year To You” greeting
Original handwritten message, stamp and postmark to reverse
Printed by Wolstone Bros., London E.C.

The postcard is over 100 years old and shows age-related wear including softened corners, small edge creases, marks, foxing and general surface wear. These details give it exactly the sort of timeworn character I would want from an original card of this age.