New Year, 2017

Happy New Year, Byters.

In the words of the Irish blessing:

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Some new year items . . . 

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And some vintage new year cards . . .

People don’t send New Year cards any more. They don’t send many Christmas cards either these days.  Email messages and text messages increase each year at the expense of cards, if sent at all. If a New Year message is conveyed, it is usually combined with a wish for a Merry Christmas. In the 19th century and early 20th century, many people did send New Year cards. Here is a selection . . . 

Angels with champers. . . hmm. The angel on the right seems to be wearing a quiver with arrows but doesn’t look like Cupid. I can’t explain it.  The angel on the left is imbibing.  Does God know what his angels are up to?

Why are there so many cards at Christmas and New Year in Britain with Robin Red Breasts on them?  Here is another . . .

Victorian postmen used to wear bright red uniforms in honour of the Crown, red being considered a Royal colour and also being an important part of the British flag. As a result of resembling Robin Red Breasts, the postmen came to be nicknamed Robins. Delivery of cards and letters at Christmas by the Robins was eagerly awaited, giving rise to a tradition of illustrating cards with the avian Robins delivering messages, much like the owls in Harry Potter.

But this one seems weird . . .

Horseshoes symbolising good luck, but they should be the other way up, otherwise the luck runs out.

Angels dropping stars, in 1908.

Creepy bottles drinking themselves.

Beyond creepy.

A wholesome, family card.

Does anyone find it odd that the birdhouse has a clock in it?

This is the stuff of nightmares, it reminds me of The Island of Doctor Moreau.

I can't explain this one, nor do I know what it is.

May you all have a great 2017, hopefully without attacks on infant children by giant wasps.