Winchester City Council's Museums Service is sending "Greetings from Christmas Past" with a display of cards.
Sending New Year greetings pre-dates Christianity but both traditions go back a long way. The City Museum display features cards from the Victorian and Edwardian eras when the advances of printing and the reduced cost of postage meant it was no longer only the rich who could afford to buy printed cards.
The first commercial Christmas card was produced in 1843 and one was recently auctioned for £20, 000 in Devizes, originally costing one shilling.
The display continues until January 31st.
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