Christmas Shockwave - Were Christmas cards were first referenced in 1829?
Christmas Shockwave - Were Christmas cards were first referenced in 1829?
On Wednesday the 2nd
of November 2023, I went to a talk by Steph Mastoris, Head of National
Waterfront Museum, Swansea on Christmas Cards. During this talk
he elaborated on Sir Henry Cole’s and John Callcott Horsley’s card in 1843. This has been accepted as the first commercial
Christmas card. He then showed a article from the Hampshire Chronicle from Monday
07 December 1829, on Page 6 [1]. In the Weddings and Engagements section, announcement
reads
“A Cordial Welcome.— We learn that
the "Olde Winchester" Christmas and New Year greetings, designed by
Mr. A. Clements, of Northgate Studio, are receiving a most cordial welcome from
Christmas card buyers”
This predates Sir
Henry Cole’s card by 14 years.
As Sherlock Holmes said
“The game’s afoot”. [2]
So the first check
was this fact referenced anywhere else? Unfortunately, the quote was referenced
in other locations, including, The Oxford Handbook of Christmas [3]. They all
used the Hampshire Chronicle.
I found a Reddit
discussion [4] that suggested the original article was misdated from 100 years
later.
So reassessment of
the Total Passage started with the first announcement
“The engagement is announced between Mr. Geoffrey Hugh Mitchell, The Buffs and King's African Rifles, son of the late Hugh McP. Mitchell and Mrs, Mitchell, of 14, Kensington Park-road, London. and Elizabeth Ursula, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Crawford, Avonmore, Shawford, Winchester”
A search of the records
on
www.ancestry.com [5] found
the Marriage announcement on July 4, 1931, of the couple. A search for century
earlier showed no such marriage.
Also, the King's
African Rifles were formed in 1902. [6]
It can therefore be
concluded, using Occam’s Razor, that the Hampshire Chronicle was simply
misdated by 100 years, a simple mistyping of an 8 when an 9 was required.
References
[1]
Hampshire
Chronicle - Monday 07 December 1829 Page 6
Website
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000231/18291207/036/0006
The relevant passage
Weddings and Engagements.
A Cordial Welcome.—We learn that the " Olde Winchester" Christmas and
New Year greetings, designed by Mr. A. Clements, of Northgate Studio, are
receiving a most cordial welcome from Christmas card buyers, sales already
nearing the 2000 mark. Large numbers have been sent abroad friends interested
in Winchester.
Total Passage
Weddings and
Engagements. The engagement
is announced between Mr. Geoffrey
Hugh Mitchell, The Buffs and King's African
Rifles, son of the late Hugh McP. Mitchell
and Mrs, Mitchell, of 14, Kensington
Park-road, London. and Elizabeth
Ursula, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. R.
Crawford, Avonmore, Shawford, Winchester.
A marriage has
been arranged, and will shortly take
place, between Capt. Kenneth Edward Previte,
Royal Marines (retd.), eldest son Col.
E. j. Previte. V.D., T.D., arid Mrs.
Previte, Fox Hill House, Keston, Kent, and
Frances, only daughter of Major-General
Sir John Clapper, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., and
Lady Capper, House, Bramdean,
Alresford.
The engagement
announced Mr. Lancelot Austin,
son of the Rev. and Mrs. W. A. Garrard,
Elmhurst, Romsey, and Miss Muriel
Walsh, younger daughter Mr. and Mrs. M.
Walsh of Hemsworth, Yorkshire.
An engagement
announced between the Rev. Briar;
Gclland Crowlev, youngest son the late
Cedric E. Crowley, Chilbolton Rectory,
Hampshire, and of Mrs. Crowley,
Killcrby, Great Malvern, and Eileen Edith Singer
Hill, youngest daughter of the late
Vice-Admiral George Hill, Stoney Hall.
Shropshire, and stepdaughter of Mrs. Hill.
Chart Sutton, Kent.
The Marriage of Miss
Florence Edith Blanche Stone,
eldest daughter Mr. and Mrs. F. W.
Stone, of Badger Farm, St. Cross,
Winchester, with Mr. Charles Donald Hewlett, only
son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Hewlett, of 38,
Middle-read. Sholing, Southampton, took place at St.
Cross Church. Winchester,
Saturday. Nov. 30th. The Rev. H. A.
Collins officiated. The bride, who was given
away by her father, wore gown of old gold
satin, and carried bouquet bronze
chrysanthemums and lilies (the gift
of the bridegroom). The bridesmaids
were Miss Dorothy Stone (sister bride).
Miss Ethel Stone (cousin of bride), and
Miss Phillis Hewlett (cousin the bridegroom).
The two former were dressed in
biscuit beige, and Miss P. Hewlett in
almond green. They carried bouquets of
bronze and yellow chrysanthemums (the gifts of
the bridegroom). The best man was Mr.
Claude Hewlett (cousin of the bridegroom).
A reception was afterwards held at St.
Cross Parish Hall, where about 60 relatives
and friends of the bride and bridegroom
were entertained. The happy couple
were the recipients about 70 pretty and
useful wedding presents.
Mayor and
Mayoress Visit Schools. During the week
the Mayor and Mayoress of Winchester
(Councillor and Mrs. Collis) have paid visits
to several of the elementary schools Hyde,
Western, St. Thomas, St. Faith and
Stamnore. At Hyde, St. Thomas and St.
Faith the Mayoress presented small replicas
the King Alfred Statue.
Brotherhood - Mr. J. Blackall. Southampton, was the speaker
at the Winchester Brotherhood on
Sunday, place of Mr. Kenneth Lindsay.
His subject was “Stars and
Men." Mr A. T. Edmonds presided.
To-morrow (Sunday) the speaker will be Mr.
Vernon Howard. M.A., formerly master at Peter Symonds
School. He will speak The
wonders of the Universe."
A Cordial Welcome.—We learn that the " Olde
Winchester" Christmas and New Year greetings, designed by Mr. A. Clements,
of Northgate Studio, are receiving a most cordial welcome from Christmas card
buyers, sales already nearing the 2000 mark. Large numbers have been sent
abroad friends interested in Winchester.
Meteor.—A meteor
of extraordinary brightness and
which lit the whole sky and
countryside, was seen in the Winchester
district at 6 p.m. on Monday. The Astronomer
Royal, Greenwich, considers that the meteor
must have considerable
height it was observed the counties of
Essex, Hampshire, Hertford, Kent
and Middlesex.
Hospital
Donation. The list of donations, &e acknowledged
by the Royal Hampshire County
Hospital this week includes sum of' £295 16s.
8d.. being the proceeds of the Thanksgiving
Fund for the Recovery of H.M.
the King.
WINCHESTER RED
TRIANGLE CLUB BAZAAR As supplementary
our report last week we should like
mention that Mrs. Alwyn T. P. Williams
was present at the opening ceremony. The Mayoress of
Winchester's stall realised
£25 17s. Mrs. George Meigh was one the
helpers at this stall. Amongst those
who sent gifts or donations were Mr. Alex Devine.
Lady Selborne. Ladv Cooper,
Lady Shelley-Rolls, the Countess of Northbrook,
Sir George and Lady Hennessy. Lord
Northbrook. Sir Henry Durstall, Mrs.
Johns. Mrs. Fetherstonhaugh, Mrs. McNabs.
Mrs. Hcdgson, Mrs. A. Bowker. Miss Frost. Mr.
W. Havward, The Bishop of Southampton and
others. Mr. C. H. Spicer and the Domestic
Bazaar also gave prizes for the
Whist Drive.
The Dansant —The
Committee of the Ladies' Guild
wish to thank all who contributed to make the
afternoon so successful. Thanks are
especially due to Miss Peggy Whiteley and her talented
pupils who came from Southsea
to help tbe cause; to all
tbe members the Guild who contributed
liberally with homemade cakes, &e,
for the tea. and above all, to Mrs.
Richards and her helpers for the excellent
commissariat arrangements. The expenses
amounted to £12 12s. Id. Tickets,
donations. &c.. brought £64 2s. 6d.. so that cheque
for £51 10s. has been forwarded to
headquarters. A report of the event is given
in our 9th page.
[The rest need re-editing]
St. Cross
Women's Association. The annual
exhibition ;'ml s.-ile '' members' work, suitable
Jot Christmas resents, was held in the
Parjf-h ICdl Tuesday. when was a splendid
rhow o'' needlework. hand weaving,
knitting. &c. well as many
fancy artir-l'vs t'.ie way of bi-'c-a-brac.
iftc. A special feature was number
Christmas cards p.nd
ralendf «. of which those were
noteworthy. fart was. the
whole, show of which the Association
well h?. proud. - ' was also
fin" dis-plav of homemade cakes, sweats,
mincemeat, jams. &c ami every
department stood business was 'lone. A 2d.
dip articles members w?s
patronised. *s usual, this, was in the
charge Miss Miller. Teas ,v-=vr>. in
the small room Miss Butt f»nd the
Tea Committee. Those soonsible for
various stalls were :—- "Wrs.
Tullis fhon. treasurer). Mrs. Mis. Benvis.
Mrs. Brown, Mis Croft.
Mr". Fox, Afrp. Mrs. T-Toebii' Mrs.
Knii-ht. Mrs. Medley. Mrs. Pd-ro. Mrs.
Pinnick, Mrs. Bay. and Miss Tullis. Olivers Hall.
social and dance was. held
the Hall Thursday, and the weather
there was very good
attendance. "The evening started off with a and
soon the fun began. A splendid
varSfcty of music was provided, the programmeX
including spot dances, novelties, Paul
j\nes, and many others. The hall was
decorated, and the curtains
were. tjrVrougb the kindness of the Ladies'
Club. for the first time. The hall now
owns through the kindness of near
neighbours. A very hearty vote of
thanks passed the Refreshment
Committee, toVMr. and Mrs. Hillier (who so
ably arranged the social) and their
Committee, and the band, three rousing
cheers beins g>yen. Mr. Mr. W estcott
and Mr. acted M.C.'s for the
evening. Sr. Cottage
Garden Society.—The annual general
meeting was held St. Faith's Parish
Hall on Tuesday evening, the Master St.
Cross (the Veil. Archdeacon Daldy)
presiding. It was then decided that
next year's show should be held on
Thursday, July 24th. the proposition Major L.
Russell, seconded by Air. E.
Sherwood, the Master of St. Gross was re-elected
President of the Society, and the whole of the
Vice-Presidents were also re-elected. The
Hon. Secretary (Mr. A. H. Dawkins)'"-having
read a letter from the Rev.. 11. A.
Collins, resigning his post as Chairman of the
Committee, as he is shortly leaving
St. Cross, moved a heartyvote of thanks to him
for his services during the past
six years (hear, hear). The. President
seconded, and it was carried unanimously. It
was decided to revert to the pre-war
practice of the President being Chairman of the
Committee;" and the Master said he
would be very glad to do so 'if he might
have a Vice-Chairman, as found it so
difficult to get to Committee meetings. Major
L. Russell was unanimously elected
Vice-Chairman. Mr. F. E. Pearce was
re-elected Hon. Treasurer and Mr. A. H.
Dawkhis Hon. Secretary. The Committee was
elected to comprise : Mr. W. Alien. Miss
Barber. Mr. R. J. Croft. Mr. C. Cross.
Mr. T. H. Fox. Mr. H. Gaiger. Miss
Hyde. Mr. C. Kingsburv, Mr. 11. Mr. G. M.
Mathews, W. Mattineley, Mr.
T. G. Messeneer, Miss Miller, Mr. W.
Page, Mr. F. Ray, Mr. E. Sherwood, Mr. G.
Ward and Mr. C. Young. New Theatre.
—The last two performances by the Ail Star
Variety Company. who have appearing at
the" New Theatre (North Walls), will
given night 6.30 and '8.30. Next week
*' Series," the 100 per cent, comedy, musical,
and dance shew, will occupy the
boards. As will be seen our advertisement
columns, the company includes several London
stars," among whom are Leslie
Sears, Bert Ray, and many others. This is
one the greatest comedy chows
touring. FOR COUGHS 'and
COLDS . balsas! hokey
[2]
“The Adventure of the Abbey Grange” by Arthur Conan
Doyle
The Oxford
Handbook of Christmas - Page 46 https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Xy8DEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA46&lpg=PA46&dq=%22Mr.+A.+Clements%22+%2B%22Northgate+Studio%22&source=bl&ots=cMszHrwaic&sig=ACfU3U0rei2QL8U7x2tSrZFkHDZd1JMiMA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjz5PTO_siCAxXrYEEAHRqFBXUQ6AF6BAgOEAM#v=onepage&q=%22Mr.%20A.%20Clements%22%20%2B%22Northgate%20Studio%22&f=false
[4]
Reddit discussion
[5]
“The wedding of Mr. Geoffrey Hugh Mitchell and Elizabeth Ursula
Crawford on July 4, 1931 can be found on https://www.ancestry.com
Link
[6]
The King's African Rifles Wikipedia entry at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_African_Rifles
posted by Alan Window at 10:25 PM
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