Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Old Postcard Wednesday--Vintage Christmas Postcard






With holly and ivy,
So green and so gay,
We deck up our houses
As fresh as the day,
With bays, and rosemary,
And laurel complete;
And every one now
Is a king in conceit.
~Poor Robins Almanac, 1695



from The Hymns and Carols of Christmas:
"Poor Robin’s Almanac . . . began in 1663 and ended in 1776. No public or private library, so far as I know, possesses a complete set of these very interesting almanacs. It has been stated that Robert Herrick was the original projector of the series, but I believe there is no authority for the statement. “Poor Robin” was the nom de plume of Robert Winstanley of Saffron Walden, a list of whose publications is given by Mr. H. Eckroyd. Smith in Notes and Queries, ser. vi. vol. 7, pp. 325-3. More information about Poor Robin is very much needed."

I found this postcard in a shop in my town. The merchant added sparkle, punched two holes in the top and strung a ribbon through to make the card an ornament. I thought it was a nice touch and I bought it just for you! Happy Holidays from Writerquake.

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24 comments:

secretfragileskies said...

Beautiful post. (Re: excerpt from Song of Childhood, Handke, poem in Wings of Desire - it's a hopeful film-with angels! Have you seen it?) Thanks for visiting and for your lovely blog!

Merry Christmas!

Erika C. said...

Lovely! Thanks. I love old postcards too and have a bunch but never thought of posting them. I would like to use them in my art some time.

Kim said...

Very pretty! This is a perfect Christmas Old Postcard Wednesday!

Batteson.Ind said...

perfect!...
Have an excellent christmas! Sending all the best things to you and your's :-D

PEACE!

Lily said...

lovely post, so elegant and fitting.

I absolutely loved the pic in the post below!!! totally magic.
and thanks for your so touching comment! your words really got to me and it's so nice to be understood.

I hope you will have a really lovely Christmas!!!

lots of love from Scandinavia, SSG

Phivos Nicolaides said...

I Love this post. In fact I like all your beautiful posts. I really enjoy myself visitng your 'home' my dearest friend Lydia.

Carlos Lorenzo said...

The postcard has all that magic of old sweet illustrations. Nice finding. Merry Christmas!!!

Erin Davis said...

What a find! A treasure! Happy holidays, Lydia.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, Lydia! I'm not terribly into the whole Xmas thing, but I love this old postcard and its glitter :)

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, or whatever you celebrate!!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas, Lydia.I sincerely wish you and your loved ones, and for that matter, all your readers, will have a meaningful Yuletide. Allow me share with you a song I came across quite lately , but it is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard -- My Grown-Up Christmas List

Lydia said...

@secret, fragile skies- Funny you would ask if I've seen Wings of Desire because I haven't and only became aware of it this year via several blogs that mentioned it (I cannot remember which blogs!). Right now the trailer is cueing up in another window and I'll view it after I post comments. I think that by your mentioning it this is a sign that I must order it! So I will. :)

@Erika- Old postcards provide a lot of enjoyment and you really can do interesting things with them. I hope you share some of yours and use them in other creative ways. :)

@Kim- It's special to have you say that!

@the watercats- Aw, thanks much. And happy, happy to you all there. Stay warm!

@Sarah- Thank you for your sweet comments here!
Regarding the photo in the post below this one: did you see my added note in comments that I ordered a print? I just had to have it. At the site I found that it is in the Scottish Highlands.
Best wishes this holiday.

@Phivos- Thanks kindly! I love visiting your "home" blogs too and consider you a good friend.

@Carlos- Merry Christmas to you in beautiful Barcelona. I can imagine how gorgeous all the streets and buildings are decorated. Thank you for showing us gorgeous views all year long.

@Erin- Thanks, and I surely loved your repost of last year's poem because I didn't see it last year and even if I had I would want to read it again!

@svasti- I'm so glad you enjoyed this postcard. Much appreciated your good wishes and I return the same. I guess I celebrate Christmas-of-the-heart-and-memory.....not a religious theme. Peace. Joy. Thoughtfulness.

Lydia said...

@Anonymous- Thank you for your kind wishes. I clicked on your link and it took me to Jonathan's blog(!), where I listened to the song. I agree it's beautiful and I'll keep it in my heart today.

Khaled KEM said...

Hi Lydia.

A très chique card.Happy Holidays and I wish you all the best in 2010.

Melinda said...

Dearest Lydia,

What a wonderfully appropriate PC for 'Old Postcard Wednesday' (a series I really enjoy so much.

I wanted to stop by and wish you the happiest of Holidays and hope that the New Year brings you much happiness.

Take care,

Melinda

Hattie said...

Kay: That is such a pretty card. All the best to you in the holiday season!
Aloha,
Marianna (aka "Hattie.")

RB said...

Lydia,

Loved this postcard and the song. The old stuff is a good reminder of how warming and joyful Christmas can be. You are always a great inspiration and manage to uplift my spirits, with your blog, and with your kind and encouraging comments on my blog.

Merry Merry Christmas!

XO,
RB

robin ann mcintosh said...

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE! I hope you have a magical holiday. xo robin

earthtoholly said...

That is a beautiful card, Lydia, and I'm not just sayin' that cause it's a picture of, well, holly... :o) And what a clever craft for old beauties like this one...an ornament...how cool!

Lydia, thank you so much for your recent comment...I'm still working on my replies, but just wanted to let you know that your comment really hit home...

earthtoholly said...

...and how could I forget!!!

Have a very beautiful and happy holiday! :o)

Lydia said...

@Khaled KEM- What a delight to have a holiday greeting from you! All good wishes to you and your family now and in the coming year.

@Melinda- It means so much for you to take time to send me good wishes at the holidays. I hope the season has been and will continue to be special for you!

@Hattie- I'm not "Kay" but I sure can see how something like this slight mix-up could happen over the holidays. Most important is that you came by, liked the card, and said so! (Are you going to begin using your real name at your blog in the future?...)

@RB- Thanks much for your sweet words. Truly, your posts of late, your gifted writing, have been instrumental in getting me through some tough times this month.
Merriest Christmas to you. :) xo

@littlebird- I was so delighted to have a Christmas Eve message from you. It made the night all the more special! Have a marvelous holiday season with your family. xo

@earthtoholly- The postcard would indeed be of special significance to you with the wonderful name!
Thank you for your holiday visit here, and know I'm wishing you all good for the rest of the season and the new year. Many blessings, xo

Don't Feed The Pixies said...

merry christmas lydia xx

Lydia said...

@Pixies- O, thanks. And on to a new year that I hope will be great for you. xo

CHERYL CRAMER BRIARD said...

Dear Lydia: What beautiful Christmas thoughts and the vintage postcards are so perfect. I have never noticed the holly flowers before, now I will be sure to look for them! Have a wonderful Holiday! Cheryl

Lydia said...

@Cheryl- What a lovely surprist having this beautiful holiday greeting from you. Many good wishes to you in the new year!

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