Trove Tuesday - Trifling Certificates

This past week has seen me with a case of Writers' Cramp as I have prepared our Christmas cards ready for posting.  Of course that got me thinking about Christmas cards in Australia so I popped over to Trove to see what I could find.

"Christmas Cards

Christmas cards are a modern institution. The first genuine Christmas card was sent in 1844, and it is believed the sender was W. E. Dobson, R.A. He had a friend from whom, he had received certain courtesies of which he desired to show some especial appreciation. The time was Christmas. So, after some thought, he made a sketch symbolising the spirit of the festive season and posted it to his friend. The sketch was done on a piece of Bristol board about twice the size of the modern letter-card. ' It depicted a family group toasting absent friend among appropriate sur \"roundings.From this small beginning the idea, now so largely utilised, and constituting such a vast industry, was developed." Source: 1938 'Christmas Cards.', Kalgoorlie Miner (WA : 1895 - 1950), 6 December, p. 3, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87495932

1882

"Christmas Cards.

THE Christmas cards grow more and more beautiful every year. We have received some from Messrs. Dunn and Collins, which, for richness of execution and design, excel anything ever before seen. They are elaborate works of art." Source: 1882 'Christmas Cards.', Melbourne Punch (Vic. : 1855 - 1900), 26 October, p. 8, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174557875

1883

1883 'CHRISTMAS CARDS.', Illustrated Sydney News(NSW : 1881 - 1894), 24 November, p. 7, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64035093
1913

"PERSONAL CHRISTMAS CARDS. That is your name and address with any greeting you desire neatly printed on each card. This makes your Christmas greeting a direct personal message to your friend or relation. It is the latest mode of sending a greeting and the cost is very trifling. Samples at the "Gaz- ettes" General Printing Office, will be cheerfully shown, for the English mail orders must be executed at once.-Advt." Source: 1913 'PERSONAL CHRISTMAS CARDS.', West Gippsland Gazette (Warragul, Vic. : 1898 - 1930) , 11 November, p. 2 Edition: MORNING., viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article68666267

1934

1934 'CHRISTMAS CARDS.', Catholic Freeman's Journal(Sydney, NSW : 1933 - 1942), 13 December, p. 10, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146411750

1940

1940 'CHRISTMAS CARDS.', The Macleay Chronicle(Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), 16 October, p. 4, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article173124799

1954

1952 'Christmas Cards.', The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), 20 December, p. 4, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27127852