The History of Greeting Cards

Greeting Card - an illustrated message that expresses affection, good will, gratitude,  sympathy,  etc. Done either seriously or using humor.

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Greeting cards...how did these folded up pieces of paper with pictures and words come to be? 

According to Wikipedia, "the custom of exchanging Greeting cards can be traced back to the ancient Chinese who exchanged messages of good will to celebrate the New Year. Early Egyptians gave greetings to one another on papyrus scrolls. "

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In 1415, Europeans began selling and exchanging handmade Valentine's Day cards. By the 1800s, Valentine's Day cards became popular in the US thanks to an artist and entrepreneur by the name of Esther Howland.  Because of this,  Howland became known as the "Mother of the American Valentine." While Louis Prang, an artist from Boston,  is called the "Father of the Christmas card."

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During the early 1900s until WWI, the greeting card industry began to decline in the US as the European industry took over the market. Europe was able to print a much cheaper product and the US industry could not keep up.  Eventually, Germany began to monopolize the whole industry. 

During WWII though, Hallmark, as well as other US greeting card companies,  began to establish themselves in the industry by coming up with creative designs and ways of manufacturing. 

Today, there are many small businesses becoming extremely successful in this realm of the art world. From Etsy to Red Bubble you can find a plethora of artists creating uniquely beautiful greeting cards. Including your favorite artist, Carla Mintz, the artist behind Arie Debren Art. 

The next time you're in the need for a distinctive or eccentric card for your favorite person check out my website or my Etsy shop. I also take custom orders!