Marcus Ward & Company, London

Originally printers for other greeting card publishers, Marcus Ward & Company entered the London market in 1867. Thomas Crane, brother of the illustrator Walter Crane, was artistic director of the firm. He and Mr. W.H. Ward are credited with maintaining very high design and printing standards. White writes: "It is pleasant to observe that from the first the products of this firm are full of decorative interest. The technical excellence is no less marked."

______________________________________

Fortuna, probably 1874-1875

This card, designed by Walter Crane, is an excellent example of Gleeson White's definition of an "architectural" style of greeting card:

"To talk of architecture in connection with so ephemeral an object as a Christmas card may sound absurd, but, nevertheless, I think all students of decoration must admit that its treatment should be more nearly allied to the surface decoration of buildings than to transcripts of nature, which are, in theory, attempts to imitate the out-look from a window of the building."

Front:	A CARD FOR XMAS
	AND THE NEW YEAR
	WISHING YOU
	GOOD LUCK

______________________________________

The Triumphant Return of Mr. Christmas, probably 1874-1875

Another card designed by Walter Crane. The stylized linear design, flat color, and fine integration of text and decoration are designed to work with the limitations of the medium of the printed card.

Front:  BEST WISHES FOR Ye TIDE
	GOOD CHEER FOR CHRISTMAS

______________________________________

Folding card with lovers in medieval dress, ca. 1880's

The decorative borders and relatively flat color of this card qualify it as architectural rather than pictorial. It's design, including the medieval and classical references, also mark it as representative of the aesthetic and arts and crafts movements.

Front, closed:	A HAPPY CHRISTMAS
Inside: Will their dreams come true, I wonder? only this is sure to me,
	That their love could not be truer than my friendship is to thee.

___________________________________________

Children in Ulsters, set of three cards, ca. 1880

Though some of Kate Greenaway's designs were published by Charles Goodall & Son, she was most closely associated with Marcus Ward & Co.

(top) Front: I COME TO WISH YOU HEALTH & HAPPINESS

(middle) Front: I COME TO WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

(bottom) Front: I COME TO WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR

___________________________________________

Card designed by Kate Greenaway, ca. 1880's

Front:	WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON

	Prithee, little maiden!
	"What hast thou to say?"
	All the Season's greetings
	From thy friend to-day:
	And all loving wishes
	That thy life may be
	Bright as are the flowers
	I have brought to thee.
			C.P.M.

___________________________________________

Card designed by Kate Greenaway, ca. 1880's

Front:	NEW YEAR

	Softly, lightly, the little feet go,
	   Hardly pressing the tender flowers,
	That burst their buds, in hurry to blow
	   For the feet that patter like falling showers.

	So fall the feet of the infant year
	   Tenderly, friend, as a child's, for you,
	On hopes that languish, and loves that fear,
	   Till they leap in gladness and blossom anew!
					R.I.O.

___________________________________________

Card designed by Kate Greenaway, ca. 1880's

Front:	GREETING

Back:	WITH KIND REGARDS 
	and
	BEST WISHES

___________________________________________

Card designed by Kate Greenaway, ca. 1880's

Front:	MIRTH AND JOY FOR TO-DAY SHOULD BE
	THEREFORE I BRING THIS CUP TO THEE.

Back:	WITH BEST WISHES

	In this Cup, this sparkling Cup,
	Friends, I pledge thee here,
	With all wishes for they weal
	Thro' this coming year:
	And a messenger I send,
	This my Cup to bear,
	Chosen for his gracious mien
	And his beauty rare.
	Let fair Gebe? bate no jot 
	Of her winsome grace,
	As with brimming Cup she stands
	In her wonted place;
	Lest the Gods, if haply they
	This Cup-bearer spy,
	Deeming him too fair for earth
	Call him up on high!
				G.P.M.

___________________________________________

Card designed by Kate Greenaway, ca. 1880's

Front:	TO WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

___________________________________________

Return to top