In 1881 John Sands, Stationer, of 274 George-Street, Sydney, organised a competition to encourage Colonial Art, in which the public were invited to submit designs for Christmas cards. Prizes were offered for the winning designs.
All designs had to be in colour, "Australian Subjects Only", and not to exceed 8 inches by 6 inches. All designs became the property of the stationer who organised copies for sale in December 1881, with a portion of the proceeds going to the artist.
Gallery One: Surviving Designs Submitted to the John Sands Christmas Card Competition, 1881.
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| "A Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year" - Submitted by J. J. Gibbs, Melbourne,1881. |
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| "Wishing You a Happy Christmas" - Miss E. Jennings, St. Kilda, 1881. |
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| "Wishing You a Merry Xmas" - Miss A'Beckett, Melbourne, 1881. |
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| "A Merry Xmas" - Miss Horne, Melbourne, 1881. |
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| "Good Wishes" - F. G. Walker, Sydney, 1881. |
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| "A Merry Christmas" - Artist Unknown, 1881. |
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| "A Merry Merry Christmas and a Peaceful Bright New Year" - Miss Harris, Melbourne, 1881. |
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| "Cookie Wishes You a Happy New Year" - Miss Robinson, 1881. |
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| "A Happy New Year" - Miss Hall, Hobart, 1881. |
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| "The Compliments of the Season" - Artist Unknown, 1881. |
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| "A Merry Xmas" - Artist Unknown, 1881. |
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| "Here's Christmas Come Again" - A. J. Boyd, Brisbane, 1881. |
Said we, "Here's Christmas come again,
And we no farthing richer!"
Time answered, "Ah! the old old strain!
Thrithalec pass the pitcher,
Why measure all your good in gold?
No rope of sand is weaker;
'Tis hard to get - 'tis hard to hold;
Come lads, fill up your beaker!"
Intelligitur plus quam pingitur.
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| "Welcome Christmas here. May you spend a Merry One, and a Bright New Year" - F. G. Walker, Sydney, 1881. |
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| "We are Hunting and searching everywhere, But we cannot find Christmas Day!" - Jessie Whitfield, Stanmore, 1881. |
Inscribed on back:
"Now, what are those children looking for?
What are they looking for, I say?"
"Oh we're hunting and searching ev'rywhere,
But we cannot find Christmas Day!"
"We felt very cross and miserable _
But at Christmas all being gay,
We guessed we'd be glad and happy again,
If we could only find Christmas Day!"
"Go home, you silly little Children,
You'll never grow happy this way,
Try to give to others some pleasure _
and you'll find your Christmas Day!"
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| "Insequor 3" - J. L. Suckett, Albany, 1881. |
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| "A Merry Xmas" - Miss Eales, Melbourne, 1881. |
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| Untitled - Miss Mann, South Shore, 1881. |
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| Untitled - Miss Gibbons, Melbourne, 1881. |
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| "Australia sends her greetings far and near, A Merry Christmas and a bright New Year" - H. Phillips, 1881. |
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| "A Happy New Year" - Trevor Jones, Sydney, 1881. |
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| "Merry Christmas" - Miss Mather, Hobart, 1881. |
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| Untitled - Miss Mather, Hobart, 1881. |
The tall and stately cedar
The hossop on the mall,
And bright Australian berries,
The good Lord made them all.
Let our hearts be tuned to gladness,
And our lips be filled with praise,
Tis me His love remember,
On these memorial days.
"Varieties of Arictotelia Peduncularis, Tasmania."
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| "A Happy New Year" - J. Reilly, Windsor, 1881. |
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| Untitled - Miss Cole, Geelong, 1881. |
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| Untitled - "1. Clematis microphylla, 2. Botonia flieviatilis - Miss Cole, Geelong, 1881. |
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| Untitled - Miss Robinson, 1881. |
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| "A Merry Christmas" - H. Rielly, Melbourne, 1881. |
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| "A Happy Christmas To You" - Unknown Artist, 1881. |
A Happy Christmas To You
The while Yule Tide is held in England dear
And wintry blasts mid snow and ice sweep o'er
Her vales; and smite old Europe's mountains boar, _
Australia fair, in Summer vesture clad
With youthful voice acclaims Messiahs Birth
Uplifting high the sweet familiar strain
Glory to God Peace and Goodwill to Men.
On Reverse:
Mountain Side Wonona
Illawarra
Taken from Nature
The lines are also original.
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| "A Merry Christmas A Happy New Year" - J. Atkinson, 1881. |
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| Untitled - Isabella Hill, Melbourne, 1881. |
Pictures Courtesy: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
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