Print of the Month - January 2023
This chromolithographed Victorian New Year card was printed by William Dickes for the Society of Promoting Christian Knowledge in 1874.
It was one of a set of 6 floral New Year's cards sold as a packet, each embellished with poetry.
In this instance a short poem by Henry Alford (1810 - 1871), a well-known theologian, writer and poet of the day.
Dickes printed many reward and greetings cards in colour for the Society of Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK).
Starting in 1852 with his "Hymns and Pictures" series he continued to work for the SPCK for over 30 years.
Most of his cards, particularly in the early years were printed by the Baxter Process, although towards the end he printed his new series in Chromolithography.
This example measures 12.8 x 8.8 cm (5 x 3.1/2 ins)