C is for Cat

10
Written by wibiwonders

Yes, I admit it: I am starting to feel Christmassy – my playlist had its first outing. One of my favourites is the ‘Christmas Alphabet’ by Dickie Valentine (a name only possible in the 1950s, at least that’s what I think) – link further down!

It made me look at my Christmas card collection from a different angle, and as I seem to have started my own alphabet with candles, it seems natural to continue with cats. Strangely, most of them are white, even though I start off with a black and white tabby. To see more black cats, check out my old post about lucky cats.

I feel lucky indeed, to have found these 2 cards – same image, different colouring. Not quite sure which one I prefer..

Illustrated cover of mid century Christmas card showing snowy scene outside pink front door with white and gold wreath, and black and white kitten expectantly looking at it. little footprints in the snow can be seen.
Illustrated cover of mid century Christmas card showing snowy scene outside golden front door with green and read wreath, and black and white kitten expectantly looking at it. little footprints in the snow can be seen.
image of logo of mid century greeting card publisher showing a female fairy flying. The word Fantusy in 1970s font is above it.

They were made by Fantusy, but once again this is a company that seems to have been active in the 50s, 60s and 70s, but then simply disappeared. You do see cards by them for sale in the usual places. If you know anything about the company history, please do get in touch!

Cat in a Hat

is a recurrent theme. This one is also in a stocking. I love the wink! No trace of the publisher, there is only a serial number at the back.

Illustrated cover of mid century Christmas card showing cat emerging from large green Christmas stocking. Cate wears a red hat and Hi! is printed above it. Background is off-white with golden starbursts.
Inside pages of mid century Christmas card. On the left, a cat is emerging from large green Christmas stocking. Cate wears a red hat and seems to wink at reader. Background is off-white with golden starbursts. On the right, on off-white background text in dark grey reads: It's Christmas again - May yours be a happy one.

This cutie is by Hallmark- made in the 1960s

Illustrated cover of mid century Christmas card. Black background. A third of a decorated Christmas tree can be seen and a cat wearing a Santa Hat peeks around the corner. Text in white reads I think about you often - and I can prove it, too.
Illustrated inside of mid century Christmas card. Black background. A cat wearing a Santa Hat can be seen climbing a ladder to top of decorated Christmas tree. It is pointing at a sign which says Hi! Merry Christmas! Text in white reads Cause here's a little sign to show you that I do!

Cuteness overdrive! The cat with a bell as hat is by Norcross, the kitten hiding in Santa’s hat is by an unknown publisher.

Illustrated cover of mid century Christmas card. Red background. Head and shoulders of a Siamese kitten wearing a Christmas bell as hat - at an angle.
Illustrated cover of mid century Christmas card . Turquoise background. A black and white kitten emerges from a Santa Hat which has a tag saying Merry Christmas attached.

This cheeky chappie is by English Cards Ltd. All I could find out that the company was incorporated in New York in 1960 – and that its current status is active.

Illustrated cover of mid century Christmas card . Off-white background framed in red. In the middle a cat is shown wearing a Santa hat with holly attached. To the left and right are the words Holiday Greetings

These four are from the “Christmas Brilliants’ (an apt name!) series by Gibson.

Illustrated cover of mid century Christmas card . Green Background. Text on the top states From the four of us... Within 4 baubles are faces of cats wearing Santa hats, representing male adult, 2 children and a female adult.

Curious

is another theme, although the first image could also be interpreted as ‘stunned’, and the other 3 as ‘mischievous’ – the little bird may not have much longer, I fear.. The first 2 are by ‘big’ names in the mid century greeting card history: the photographic one with cat and bauble is by Gibson, the kitten eyeing the bird is by Rust Craft.

Photographic cover of mid century Christmas card showing a kitten looking seemingly spellbound at a Christmas bauble on the floor.
Illustrated cover of mid century Christmas card, showing a white kitten having played with a red Christmas bow. It i now looking at a little bird in its cage. Colours are red, green and white.

These two cards don’t show a publisher’s name, just serial numbers – a shame!

Illustrated cover of mid century Christmas card. Light green background. A large red wrapped parcel is surrounded by 2 smaller presents and four kittens playing around and on top of them.
Illustrated cover of mid century Christmas card , showing a white kitten emerging between two Santa boots which are placed in front of a Christmas tree.

Odd

I cherish these just for their strangeness in expression. They can’t be called pretty but they have a certain quality. The very green-eyed cat is by Buzza, which was part of Gibson cards. All that I know of the white kitten with a rather melancholy look is that the card was “Printed in England”.

Illustrated cover of mid century Christmas card showing pencil drawing of a cat's head. This is accentuated by a red bow, and the cat has unusually large, intensely green eyes.
Illustrated cover of mid century Christmas card, showing a white kitten peering anxiously at the viewer. Christmas tree can be half seen. Glitter stars on green background complete the scene.

not odd but these can only be sent to special people, the first one to those whose birthday happens to fall on Christmas day, the other to a daughter. The birthday card is by Rust Craft, the card for a daughter by another sought after (by collectors) company: Volland. Better known as P.F. Volland (named after its founder, German-born Paul Frederick Volland), the company was based in Chicago and published postcards and greeting cards, poetry books, music, calendars, and children’s books (they introduced Raggedy Ann and Andy) and games between 1908 and 1959.

cover of mid century Christmas card for someone whose birthday falls on Christmas. Illustration of white kitten with present in the middle. Blue background.
Illustrated cover of mid century Christmas card for a Daughter. Blue background with golden and white snowflakes and 3 white kittens with black bows. All have halos above their head.

Dogs love Christmas, too

I prefer cats but I like dogs, too – and they do feature on Christmas cards so here is another Gibson card, and one where no publisher is named.

cover of mid century Christmas card, showing an illustration of a black poodle sitting among wrapped presents, wearing a Santa hat
cover of mid century Christmas card, showing an illustration of a kitten and a puppy in a blue Christmas stocking . Brown background. Candy canes, presents and starbursts surround the scene.

Pour yourself an eggnog or another favourite tipple and enjoy the Christmas Alphabet!

10 Comments

  5. Thank you for such a joyful and festive read with many visual treats and treasures to enjoy. Saving this to come back to each week up to the holidays! xx

    Reply

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