The Cards of Christmas Past

This collection of Christmas cards comes from the Rev’d Sir Kingi Ihaka collection (KIN157/1/12).  They date from the early sixties to the late eighties and range from standard commercial gift cards to cards produced by church groups, charities, and other private organisations.

A striking example of the latter is the Christmas card below, which was produced by Reed publishers for the Christmas of 1965-6.  The illustration on the front was created by David F. Graves.  The card was signed by Reed staff including A.W. Reed himself.

Inside is a poem by Eileen Duggan, a well-known New Zealand poet:

A NEW ZEALAND CHRISTMAS

Had my lord been born here in the time of rata,

Three dark-eyed chieftains would have knelt to Him,

With greenstone and mats and the proud huia feather,

And the eyes of Mary, seeing, would grow dim.

For more information about the Rev’d Sir Kingi Ihaka see his biography on Te Ara, and our earlier blog about the Sydney Maori Anglican Fellowship.