The first commercially produced Christmas card

Commissioned by Henry Cole.
Sir Henry Cole was the first director of the South Kensington Museum, which later became the V&A. The card depicts a jovial scene of a family seated around a table, sharing wine. Ivy, as depicted here, was a symbol of Bacchus, the god of wine. The card was designed by John C Horsley.
BPMA reference: 2003.0476.