Perhaps it is the reason why we have at times found them in abundance. Or perhaps it is just that their original owners appreciated objects of beauty, ephemera with which to convey their thoughts, show appreciation, love, empathy, yes, even sympathy.
Some collected more than others, a greeting card to have on hand should the occasion rise to send one, to avoid an extra trip to the store to get one. All thoughtful people had at least one box of assorted cards.
With the advent of technological wonders, mainly the internet but also less expensive long distance calling, and now even texting and "social" sites, the era of regularly sending a greeting card or a hand-written notecard is falling by the wayside.
And it is just too sad to contemplate, for many kept their greeting cards, their hand-written notecards, even their letters -- or at least the very special ones -- tucked safely away, a keepsake to take out and take in again when the mood so struck. Some even kept them in their scrapbooks, tokens of someone else's thoughts and affection for them, a reminder of friendship, a thank you for a kind gesture, a seal of approval, the sharing of joy and sorrow, a tangible memory of someone else's love.
The cards from this particular collection we are offering in the grand opening of our Etsy shop are slightly different in that almost every card is from a beneficent society or organization such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering, The American Legion, the Washington National Cathedral and others.
Someone had taken a lot of time to accumulate such a collection, almost every card having a double benefit: not only did they let the recipient of the card know they were being thought of, but they also benefitted the society or organization who had produced them in the first place. Indeed, it was clear that the original owner had gone out of their way to amass this wonderful collection.
We have acquired some of these collections through the years and we have also used them through the years. We have sent many, given many and still do. We have provided cards on occasion for family and friends to send themselves. And we even have framed a select number as miniature art pieces for our home and as gifts for others.
Studies blame the rise in price of a postage stamp for people not mailing cards so much anymore. But is it really that or is it that technology makes it so much easier to place a call, send an email or text, leave a short message on a social site? And when the recipient wants to recall that particular show of affection, empathy or appreciation, what is there but a piece of hard plastic with a glowing screen?
Would not one remember a card in the mail, whether a pre-written greeting card or a hand-written notecard with much more affection and appreciation? A card received with a gift, a hand-delivered bouquet of flowers. yes, people still give gifts and they should also consider the sending and giving of cards as well. It just seems to mean so much more to those who receive them ...
And what better way to help revive a vintage tradition than with the sending or giving of a vintage card?
