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. Christmas Card design depicting feathers and a floral wreath with the words "A Merry Christmas".](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4p0MAzVjJuAVKVeVYOmTmPCOtpAD7k90CJ1iHqaPOlcN9uFpYFy0SfVoWYPy3jhhDYeWRvEuY4t1cyt7m9afMJw16BoRW34kztC_xQ2nR4M9T6zbvCuUNZmeCK5q3A35tQwaIq-O0I-T/s640/New+Picture+%25285%2529.bmp) |
"A Merry Christmas" - Miss Edmiston, [Kreton?], 1881. |
![Untitled - A. E. [Binsfeback?], Rockhampton, 1881. Christmas Card design depicting kangaroos and the Australian bush.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1f2uPjO-EHvsfZgpVAesZwzwVuV87-Xs0e8xSRtOoDR2syUcuYhcvvt4HMCMXBKUh9PzL1pNw-qKxNXp2feCxPae8lSfueElv-2xGW4f0FafatblIypwfmyLonvHMBm_7cF9u4vXNCkS/s640/New+Picture+%25286%2529.bmp) |
Untitled - A. E. [Binsfeback?], Rockhampton, 1881. |
!["A Merry Christmas A Happy New Year" - P. {Agaw??], Burleigh, 1881. Christmas Card design depicting an Australian wooden house with the words "A Merry Christmas A Happy New Year".](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2aBhKsiPsS4djy_4Ew2pjkMmJ393KrhnmwB2OiATCH9m2aU4z0xLd-Ei76IxmipYdVyu7dxzSpD4cMx_Gj3cGexJdR2IOwTkh-KLF3ONbF3f1cTpTKVk_fxvTSk5y8xFIsirpAgoXM51/s640/New+Picture+%25287%2529.bmp) |
"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. Christmas Card design depicting an Australian wooden house with inhabitants dancing with the words "A Merry Christmas A Happy New Year".](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JAlEALybsrNW5KzZHaal_83EYUCi7jiAYa8fMJ4p6RhDNRbsuDFqyCziYq9Qeo-z4eIdDycH1_IhqJ5PeWckxsRT2Vu2E3S-vFbFgPZILdGjwx0r5tDgAoJnpVn4Tv3wus_yJ7jEy9fU/s640/New+Picture+%25288%2529.bmp) |
"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
What an awesome inspiring set of hand painted cards of which i in my many years have never set eyes on until today. wonderful!
ReplyDelete