in the news
Rare Victorian
cards to be
auctioned
A rare hoard of Victorian Christmas cards has generated international
interest as they are prepared to go to auction.
The cards, dating back to the 1880s, were discovered by auctioneer
Charles Hanson who features on BBC One’s Bargain Hunt.
“Apparently the cards and decorations had been found in the attic
of the townhouse in the 1970s with an image of an unidentifi ed lady we
believe the cards were addressed to,” said Mr Hanson.
“They typically represent good eating and drinking, the two elements
of a Victorian Christmas alongside the religious signifi cance.”
Membership
There are 74 cards in the collection, which were addressed to Emily
and Jack.
“They don’t appear to have suffered from damp and are in good
boost for Giftware
condition,” added Mr Hanson. “The lot conjures up in my mind the
delights of a Victorian Christmas with a roaring open fi re and a splendid
Association
Christmas lunch.
“Perhaps in the future we should save our cherished cards for a few A recruitment drive resulted in around 60 new members joining The
years rather than consign them to the bin.” Giftware Association in the fi nal four months of 2009, including leading
Mr Hanson added: “We expect interest in the lot from many importers Joe Davies and Coach House.
collectors worldwide, though we hope the public will fi nd time to view GA chief executive Isabel Martinson says that despite a tough 12
the quality and intricacy of the early charming Victorian Christmas card.” months for the gift and home industry – which has seen a number
of casualties – the association has enjoyed its highest membership
retention rate for many years.
“We are very pleased that members are recognising the importance
of staying connected with the rest of the industry through The GA,”
comments Isabel.
It has always aimed to sign up new members at trade shows every
September as those suppliers joining by the end of that month receive
a fi ve per cent discount on their stand at the following Spring Fair
9LI
International.
Isabel continues: “What has been different this year is that Louise
Young, the new managing director of Emap Connect Home & Gift, kindly
&RRI(SXXIVMPP
agreed to a request from president of the British Jewellery, Giftware and
Finishing Federation, David Metcalfe, to extend the discount deadline
until the end of 2009.
“The 2009 extension has allowed people time for refl ection and the (SPPIGXMSR
chance to review all our services. They obviously concluded that it was
an opportunity not to be missed.”
Fine art greetings
cards and prints
GA doubles its space at
Spring Fair International
The Giftware Association will occupy twice as much space at February’s
Spring Fair International as it did in 2009.
To receive card or print
The GA stand, the Gift of the Year House and Garden and the
catalogues or further
association’s VIP Retail Lounge will all be brought together in Hall 9 at
information on the range,
the NEC. The garden will now not only be available to retail members
please contact:
– who will also have their own private lounge area – but to supplier
members, too.
Mill House Fine Art Gift of the Year sponsors will also be made welcome in the House
Publishing Lid
and Garden, which will feature winning and highly commended
products from the 2009 competition.
01297 553100
The GA is exploring ways of widening its reach through business-
www.millhousefineart.com oriented social networking sites.
Email: info@millhousefineart.com
Seminars about agents and selling skills are among those being
planned by the GA as part of its 2010 programme.
12 www.greetingstoday.co.uk
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