Reader Michael emailed me last week share a wonderful estate sale find — a motherlode bonanza of really old, New Old Stock Christmas cards — from as early as the Roaring 1920s and Arts & Crafts style old. Oh my: There is just something about vintage graphics and vintage printing technology — along with the pleasant yellowing of high quality paper stock — that makes vintage greeting cards so delightful. The question is: Should you use your vintage greeting cards? I say YES — even though I, too, find it difficult. Read on for Michael’s story of discovery and for lots more gorgeous photos of these NOS treasures. –>
Michael writes:
Last night I went to a local estate auction and purchased a HUGE lot of vintage NOS Christmas cards, many still in their original boxes. Each style ranges in quantity from 6 to 44 pieces in each box, and I also have about 25 singles. The condition is terrific, and the quality of the card is really impressive: many are made of heavy card stock, or embossed, or hand tinted, or embellished with a bit of ribbon or foil paper, etc. Even some of the envelopes are lined in the most whimsical patterned tissue!
The type of greeting ranges from general Christmas wishes, to recipient specific messages: father, son, mother, daughter, daddy, uncle, nephew, niece, pastor, teacher, convalescent, friend’s mother, sweetheart, husband, wife, grandfather, grandson… The messages are very charming!
I believe the cards to be from the late 1920s-1930s, which I know falls outside of the range for Retro Renovation, but I know in the past you have featured the odd article or item of interest from the 20s-40s. I thought since this lot was so large, varied, colourful and seasonally appropriate it might be off interest to you. I have kept some boxes for myself to send out and give to family, but the majority I will be listing on eBay tonight and tomorrow. I purchased a smaller lot of similar cards from the same estate last week (it was a two part sale), and 16 out of the 17 listings sold on eBay (most with “Buy it Now”)– there was a lot of interest.
Hope all is well in your world! 🙂
Mikes
Thank you, Michael for taking the time to send me all these gorgeous illustrations. They make me so happy!
It is impossible to choose a favorite.
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Well, golly, wouldn’t you know, that before I could even get this story prepared, Michael’s cards — which he had quickly posted on to ebay — were selling like hotcakes. Just a few days after his initial email, he updated me:
Well, I finally got the last of the lots listed today on eBay. There were 82 listings in total and 52 have already sold! It was crazy– today, as I was posting each lot, most were snapped up within minutes by one of three bidders in California. And each was sending me messages asking what was coming up next, could they get a preview, etc. Crazy! It was fun opening box after box of such vibrant gems! I’m kinda sad it’s over…
Mike
Me too sad. Readers, if you want to see more of the designs, once you are in ebay, navigate to see Michael’s Completed Listings.
Annie B. says
Oh, Michael, how lucky you are to’ve found all these. I’d have to “play” with them over and over, then send them to special friends. How tempting to use them in vintage collage art, too.
I wonder what all your buyers will do with them. Congrats on a wonderful find.
pam kueber says
With all the mention of scanning — I want to remind folks that old stuff may still have copyrights attached. Please consult with properly licensed professionals before making and using copies 🙂
Robin, NV says
This post is right up my alley since I’m a Christmas card addict. But as much as I love to buy Christmas cards, I have a hard time finding ones that suit my tastes. These are great – artistic, simple, funny, tasteful, timely – they have it all. I would definitely scan them. I’d also save at least one from each set to be framed and displayed at Christmas.
What a great reminder of a time when sending a letter was the best way to communicate with people far away. We’ve definitely lost the letter writing knack. I seem to get fewer and fewer Christmas cards each year.
Jay says
Beautiful! Hard to believe the great condition for their age. I would keep a few for decoration at Christmas. Really love the ones with scotties. As others have stated, scanning is definately an option. I would send them to family. I wonder how they were kept so pristine, probably stored in a closet. Attics and basements can have extreme temperature swings and moisture can really affect paper items – cards and envelopes.
Janet in CT says
I agree they are just stunning! Like Chris, I would save one or two and use the others, but most people wouldn’t even appreciate them and would toss them out. I save the best and favorites every year out of mine and have framed quite a few of them for decorating at Christmas time. I do collect a few here and there but definitely would not say it is a collection. I have cards my mother saved for many years and also a few I find from time to time. It is true that many of the old cards are special and wish I could find more like them these days!
Kkmk says
The art and lettering is stunning. I would frame a couple to put out at Christmas.
Chris says
How wonderful!
If these were mine, I would take one of each kind and put them in a binder with acid free sleeves. I would also do a high resolution scan of each as a back-up file.
Then I would use the duplicates. How lovely and fun these are! They made me smile this morning!!!!!
🙂
Ben says
Use them for sure! But at the same time, I would suggest getting a high-resolution scan of each one. Then they can be reprinted for years to come; just use a decent card stock and they’ll be almost as vibrant as the originals.
Plus, a few scans backed up on a USB drive will take up much less room than boxes of actual cards, and allow you to share them with friends who may appreciate the opportunity to send them as well (although I do suggest looking into copyright issues with reproducing them if you’re not just sending them to close friends and family…)
Mandy says
Too precious to use, surely? Collectors out there – what do you say?
Thanks for sharing, they are wonderful.
Jana (Berniecat) says
Michael,
You certainly are the ” Indiana Jones” of the vintage world with this find! I really enjoyed the pictures and will take a peek at your completed listings for more vintage Christmas goodness. Thanks for sharing!