The John Sands Christmas Card Competition 1881 - Gallery Two

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.

"Happy New Year" - M. Haselden, Lithgow, 1881.

Untitled - Mrs Abbott, Melbourne, 1881.

"A Merry Christmas" - F. Prescott, Melbourne, 1881.

New Point, Londsdale, Port Phillip - R. M. Ruff, Melbourne, 1881.

"A Merry Christmas" - Miss Edmiston, [Kreton?], 1881.

Untitled - A. E. [Binsfeback?], Rockhampton, 1881.

"A Merry Christmas A Happy New Year" - P. {Agaw??], Burleigh, 1881.

The Sliprail Down _

And Cherry Light _

Begs You Tarry _

Here Tonight _

"A Merry Christmas A Happy New Year" - P. {Agaw??], Burleigh, 1881.

Welcome all good 

folks & True

A Happy bright

New Year to You

The Sliprail Down _

And Cherry Light _

Begs You Tarry _

Here Tonight _

"Wishing You a Happy Christmas" - Miss Morris, Bingara, 1881.

"A Happy Christmas to You" - Miss Morris, Bingara, 1881.

"A Merry Christmas A Happy New Year" - A. J. Boyd, Brisbane, 1881.

"A Merry Christmas" - Amy Montifiou, 1881.

"A Happy Christmas" - Unknown Artist, 1881.

Sigh not for the Holly tree,

With ruddy berries light,

That gleam and glow

Thro' frost and snow,

On Britain's Christmas night;

In Austral woods _ on morr and lea,

Tinted by sunnier skies,

Are wreaths as fair

For braided hair,

Or festal revelries.

"A Merry Xmas & A Happy New Year to You" - Miss A'Beckett, Melbourne, 1881.

"A Happy New Year" - Miss A'Beckett, Melbourne, 1881.

"A Happy Christmas" - Unknown Artist, 1881.

"A Christmas from

all sorrow free

dear one I wish thee

fervently."

"A Happy Christmas" - S. Sedgefield, Sydney, 1881.

Pretty Warbler how superb

They plumage when the summer's nigh

"Give thee Greeting," O, my love, when

Christmastide 'neath Southern sky

Makes us as joyous as the Wren.

"Merry Christmas from Australia" - H. Handridge, South Australia, 1881.

"A Merry Christmas, A Happy New Year" - Rosalie Hall, Melbourne, 1881.

"With Best Christmas Wishes" - Mrs Charles Bakley, Saxby Villa, Octavia St., St. Kilda, 1881.

Pictures Courtesy: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales