It took some time for Henry Cole's Christmas card idea to take root with the wider public. In fact, until 1878, more Valentine's cards were sent in the post each year than Christmas cards.

However, just three years later in 1881, the Post Office issued its first public instruction to 'Post early for Christmas', to help manage the volume of festive mail.

The work of the Post Office came to be seen as a fundamental aspect of the Christmas festival. Images of the post began to appear on Christmas cards, like this charming miniature card from the 1920s. It shows two children posting a letter in a snow-covered pillar box. The caption reads: 'We post our letters of good cheer / Now that Christmas draws so near'.

Illustration

Mini Christmas card from the 1920s