Christmas Gift Idea - Gift Baskets

Just In Time For Holidays

Father of the Christmas Card Items to be Sold

BOSTON (PRWeb) December 15, 2006 -- The first Christmas card in America was printed in 1875 by Louis Prang in Boston, Massachusetts. Prang was one of the foremost leaders in the arts at the end of the 19th century and his accomplishments resulted in his name being engraved at the base of the Statue of Liberty. In 1874, at the suggestion of the wife of Prang’s London agent, Mrs. Ackerman, Prang began producing the first Christmas cards in the US and sponsored popular design competitions “to get the best artistic results” with prizes up to $4,000. The competitions were held in Boston & New York with notable judges such as Louis C. Tiffany, John La Farge and architect Stanford White. The competitions attracted both known and many unknown artists such as Thomas Moran before they became nationally recognized. Prang became known as “the father of the Christmas Card.”

For Prang, greeting cards were little pieces of art people could hold and another way to introduce the public to art and an appreciation for beauty. Instead of compromising quality, Prang ceased the production of Christmas cards by 1890, when he could no longer compete with the printers in Germany who were making cards more cheaply and of less artistic quality.

From December 14-December 21 Royka’s will auction online a sterling presentation tray given to Mr. & Mrs. Prang by Mr. & Mrs. Ackerman celebrating Christmas in 1875. In addition, Royka’s will be exhibiting Louis Prang’s landmark lithographs of The Walters Collection of Oriental Ceramic Art which inspired the Arts & Crafts Movement in America. An online catalog is available at www.ROYKAS.com and a portion of the proceeds of the auction will be given to charity.

About Royka’s
Royka’s is a full service auction house and gallery of fine art & antiques based in Boston’s prestigious Back Bay at 213 Newbury Street, 2nd fl, Boston, MA 02116 and online at www.ROYKAS.com

Contact: Paul Royka, owner, (617) 578-0400

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This press release has been reprinted from PRWEB per the terms and conditions of the copyright notice.

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