Bread spread
Sir: I read with interest Leslie Adrian's article (11 October) on 'Bread spread', Particularly the last paragraph on the date of the tradition of the Christmas card. Mr Adrian would, I am sure, find it interesting, since he is obviously interested in the Christmas card tradition, to read George Buday's book on the subject, The History of the Christmas Card, first published by the Rockliff Press in 1954 and reprinted by Spring Books in 1964. Mr Buday's fascinating monograph on the origins of the Christmas card was written after extensive research. Her Majesty, the late Queen Mary, lent him her eighteen volumes of Christmas cards, saved by her year by year, since she was very young. The History of the Christmas Card was described by one critic as a classic on the subject.
Mr Buday was able to establish the date of the first Christmas card of course of his research. This was a hand coloured lithograph by J. C. Horsley in 1843. It was designed at the instigation of Henry, later Sir Henry, Cole, the great reformer of Victorian art and taste. It was printed in 1,000 copies and sold, each hand coloured, at Is each.
Both editions of the History of the Christmas Card sold out quickly, but the book is in most public libraries. I hope Mr Adrian will find time to read it.
T. M. C. Bremner Jasmine Cottage, Gravel Lane, Chigwell, Essex
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