MS 684 02 06

MS 684 02 06

Thomas Hardy collection: Christmas cards from the Hardy family

File

1899-1934

1 envelope

Eleven Christmas cards from the Hardys over a number of years: 1: Christmas card sent by Gordon Gifford (Emma Hardy's newphew) from Max Gate in 1899. Design is from one of Hardy's illustrations in Wessex Poems. 2: Christmas card inscribed by Hardy in Latin, from 1902. 3: 2 Christmas cards featuring a woodcut print of the Max Gate entrance and Wessex, the Hardy's dog. The lettering reads "Greetings from Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hardy. Max Gate, Dorchester. Xmas 1923". Printed by HW Ling, probably on a private commission for the Hardys. 4: 3 Christmas cards featuring a woodcut print of a weary traveller and, again, Wessex, from 1926. Two are inscribed by Florence Hardy (she identifies the dog as Wessex in one of them). The lettering reads "Max Gate, Dorchester, Xmas, 1926. With the thoughts of T.H. & F.E.H.". Printed by HW Ling, probably on a private commission for the Hardys. 5: Folded Christmas card from 1934 with Hardy's 'Any Little Old Song' printed inside. Inscribed by Florence: "With affectionate greeting, from Florence Hardy". Printed by HW Ling, probably on a private commission for the Hardys. 6: Christmas card, possibly homemade, on brown card with an illustration tipped-in inside (identified as "Jen" by Florence). Inscribed by Florence on the page opposite: "With every good wish for Christmas and the New Year from Florence Hardy" and signed by Thomas Hardy below that. Undated. 7: Christmas card featuring a colour design of a red ship and seagulls, printed by Holly Blish Series, London. Signed by Florence Hardy inside. Undated. 8: Glossy card with Hardy's 'Birds at Winter Nightfall' printed on the left with an illustration next to it. Lettering reads "All good wishes for Christmas and the New Year from Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hardy". Undated. With two Christmas cards from 1928 and 1975 that feature Hardy's 'The Oxen'.