Archives Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1981.31.19.2 |
Object Name |
Postcard |
Title |
Embroidered Postcard, "Joyful Christmas", circa 1916 |
Date |
circa 1916 |
Year Range from |
1914 |
Year Range to |
1918 |
Description |
Embroidered postcard (.1) with message card (.2), circa 1916. The postcard has a paper frame which surrounds an embroidered silk envelope, stitched with the phrase "Joyful Christmas". The card has a plum puddling and Christmas symbols embroidered on it. The back is divided with text in both English and French. The card inside the silk envelope reads "Thinking of You" with flags of allied nations. A handwritten message on the back in purple coloured pencil reads: "This will include you all from Earl somewhere in France". The postcard was likely collected by Edith Fowke who served as a member of the Volunteer Detachment (VAD) which was formed to free trained nurses for service with the army during World War One. Edith served in the south of England through the later years of the war. After the end of the conflict, she stayed in England to nurse victims of the Spanish Flu in 1919. |
Notes |
Historic Context - Embroidered Postcards Embroidered silk postcards were first made available around 1900 in France and continued to be manufactured into the 1950s. Production peaked during 1914-1918 as the postcards were popular souvenirs for British and Canadian soldiers to send home. There was a resurgence in popularity from 1939-1940, when the postcards were again sent home by soldiers based in France. These later examples tend to have more muted colours, and a 'crimpled cut' edge to the card. The hand-embroidery is thought to have been carried out in domestic houses as 'out-work' by civilians in France and Belgium, and in the UK by Belgian refugees. There is also evidence that the postcards were produced by commercial firms with hand embroidery machines. The designs were repeatedly embroidered on rolls of silk. These were then sent to cities (mainly Paris) for cutting up, final assembly and distribution, in what was probably at that stage a factory operation. The postcards were often sold in thin paper envelopes but were rarely sent through the post because they were fragile and expense. Usually, they were mailed with other letters. For this reason, many surviving embroidered postcards do not have messages written within them. These postcards featured many designs intended to show off bright coloured threads/ Many designs were often patriotic or sentimental, featuring flags, butterflies, birds, and rainbows. Many postcards also had a silk pocket effect which a pre-printed card could be inserted. Updated 2024 Source "Embroidered Silk Postcards", Imperial War Museum, (accessed 19 December 2024): https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/embroidered-silk-postcards |
People |
Fowke, Edith |
Search Terms |
World War I |
Subjects |
MILITARY NURSING SPECIAL EVENTS - CHRISTMAS WORLD WAR I |
Dimensions |
.1 9 cm w x 14 cm l .2 4.5 cm w x 7.1 cm l |
Collection |
Archives |