Easter Egg *2
The Easter Card developed as a large-scale phenomenon in the 1890’s. This was 50 years after the postage stamp allowed for a sizeable growth in the number of people sending personal messages during important yearly events.
In our archives, there is original Easter Cards sent to Ms Pye from multiple friends*1. They possess messages and poems rejoicing in how Winter has passed, Christ has risen and that the Spring weather has allowed for nature to come alive again, reflecting the profoundly religious nature of the time.
Easter Card *1
We also possess a card sent to Ms Pye around Easter, providing more personal detail on the type of other types of communications engaged in at this time of the year. It comments on the “Arctic Winter” that had just passed, offered blessings and allowed for a question on when a friend could come up to visit Ms Pye.
Such comments reflect how Easter offers a chance to celebrate and hope for improved weather, friendships and the opportunity to encourage being sociable. Such themes have remained somewhat consistent. However, adaptation has occurred, with more of an emphasis directed towards gratitude and appreciation for life around Easter, combined with a sense of hope and new beginnings.
These messages also underscore how methods of communication and celebration have evolved over time, with Easter Cards representing 12% of the Spring seasons card market, a significant overall percentage.
Another way of celebrating Easter relates to eggs and their decoration. While having debated origins, it has become a staple of how the period is celebrated, from egg painting to eating chocolate Easter Eggs. Ms Pye herself took part in such a tradition, as evidenced by our archival records.* 2
Therefore, whatever one’s plans are for the day, however you celebrate the occasion, and whether you eat as much chocolate as possible or try to refrain from that, we hope you have a lovely Easter in whatever form you celebrate.
