Noname Antiques » 22 Most Valuable Antique Christmas Cards Worth Money

22 Most Valuable Antique Christmas Cards Worth Money

If you can’t remember the last time you received a Christmas card or any type of postcard, you are not the only one. Once a popular way to send Christmas greetings, Christmas cards are no longer so popular, with barely anyone using them.

However, Christmas cards became popular in another way – as a collectible, especially the older cards that became highly sought among antique collectors. There are many reasons why did these cards become a popular collectible: beautiful motifs, sentimental value, etc.

Additionally, antique Christmas cards are usually affordable (although there are some insanely expensive), and basically anyone can collect them.

Short History of Christmas Cards

The idea of Christmas cards was born sometime during the Victorian era when people realized they spent too much time on their holiday correspondence. One man, Henry Cole, started publishing cards with holiday scenery on one side, and a prewritten message on the other, with space for some personalization.

Others followed in his footsteps, but it wasn’t until after the Civil War that Christmas cards became truly popular in the United States. Soon enough, in the early 20th century, Christmas cards were everywhere, and they became the favorite mail during the Christmas holidays.

Usually, these Christmas cards depicted Santa Claus, a Christmas tree, reindeer, angels, snow, children playing, gifts, and similar motifs. By the end of the 20th century, Christmas cards lost their appeal to a wide audience, and nowadays, they are mostly published by small publishers.

Most Christmas cards published today are either minimalistic, humorous, or influenced by digital art and other modern designs. Although many of them are beautiful, they aren’t as wholesome and warm as the antique Christmas cards.

22 Vintage Christmas Cards

Here is the list of the most interesting vintage Christmas cards. Some of them cost a real fortune, but some others are more affordable.

The price depends on various factors, how old that Christmas card is, is it well-preserved or not, is it rare, etc. Some Christmas cards were designed and painted by famous artists, which makes them even more valuable.

1. 1933 Hand-Painted Court Jester Christmas Greeting Card

1933 Hand-Painted Court Jester Christmas Greeting Card

The most expensive vintage card on our list, this antique card has a price of an unbelievable $100,000.00! It is watercolor hand-painted on cotton paper, depicting a court jester. Although it shows some signs of wear and tear, it is still in a good condition, and it is one of a kind.

Also Read  15 Best Coin Books for Coin Collectors

2. Rare Norman Rockwell Homeward Bound Lithograph Christmas Card

Rare Norman Rockwell Homeward Bound Lithograph Christmas Card

An early piece of work for the acclaimed American artist Norman Rockwell, this card is dated back to the 1920s or 1930s. It is not one of a kind, but it is extremely rare. This card was actually a salesman’s sample, and it was printed on a heavy pebbled DeLuxe art paper. The price for this card starts at $10,600.00.

3. 1930s Dr. Henry M. Goodyear Silhouette Christmas Card

1930s Dr. Henry M. Goodyear Silhouette Christmas Card

This vintage Christmas postcard was printed on a parchment paper specifically for Dr. and Mrs. Henry. W. Goodyear of Cincinnati, Ohio, somewhere between 1933 and 1938. It is in a good shape and it shows black silhouettes of four horses and a carriage. The price is $10,300.00.

4. Antique Victorian Cottage Christmas Card

Antique Victorian Cottage Christmas Card

Another salesman’s sample, this card was printed on a high-quality woodblock on a parchment paper, with gold illumination. It depicts two people standing by a Victorian cottage and a gnarly tree, and its price is $6,300.00.

5.  1930s Christ The King Lithograph Christmas Card

1930s Christ The King Lithograph Christmas Card

Beautiful french fold holiday card with a lithograph print from the 1930s, this vintage card shows Virgin Mary taking care of little baby Jesus. It has a verse written on the inside, with the rest of the inside being blank. The price of this card is $6,000.00.

6. 1930’s Winter Boy And Girl Skiing Christmas Card

1930's Winter Boy And Girl Skiing Christmas Card

This antique card shows two kids – a boy and a girl, playing in the snow. It was printed on lightweight paper using a lithograph printing process. It was printed somewhere during the 1930s and its price is $6,000.00. 

7. Vintage 1930s Art Deco Star Of Bethlehem Christmas Card

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Star Of Bethlehem Christmas Card

This unusual black-and-gray Christmas card depicts a Bethlehem star shining on a silhouette riding a camel. Printed on cotton paper, it is still in a good condition, and its cost is $6,000.00.

8. Vintage Girl Reading Book By The Candle Christmas Card

Vintage Girl Reading Book By The Candle Christmas Card

This three-fold Merry Christmas postcard was printed on textured paper, it is in great condition, and it was never used. It shows a little girl reading a book under candlelight, with a cat laying on the floor. Its price is $6,000.00.

Also Read  18 Most Valuable Sterling Silver Flatware Worth Money

9. Hand-Colored Silkscreen Candles Card

Hand-Colored Silkscreen Candles Card

This french fold Christmas card was printed in the 1940s with woodblock, hand coloring, and silkscreen. It has beautiful silver illuminations and it costs $4,700.00.

10. Woodblock Hand-Colored Holly Pine Cones Christmas Card

Woodblock Hand-Colored Holly Pine Cones Christmas Card

Another french fold Christmas card from the 1940s, this Christmas card was hand-colored with a woodblock. It shows a pine branch with cones and berries, and its front verse wishes Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Its price is $4,600.00.

11. 1930s Snowman Christmas Card

1930s Snowman Christmas Card

This beautiful vintage postcard shows a snowman in front of the gray surface that was illuminated with silver. The exact printing technique is unknown. Its price is $4,300.00.

12. Girl And Boy Singing Christmas Card

Girl And Boy Singing Christmas Card

Fench fold vintage card illuminated in gold, this Christmas card shows a boy and a girl singing Christmas carols underneath the Christmas tree. Its price is $3,200.00.

13. Stained Glass Window With Poinsettia Christmas Card

Stained Glass Window With Poinsettia Christmas Card

Antique french fold Christmas card covered with glitter. It depicts a stained glass window with Poinsettia flowers. It has inside verses wishing a happy Christmas and quoting the Bible. The cost is $3,200.00.

14. Red Colonial House Covered In SNOW Christmas Card

Red Colonial House Covered In SNOW Christmas Card

This card is illuminated with silver glitter, and it was painted by Brian Truelove, an artist from Scotland. It shows a cozy, red colonial house covered in snow and surrounded by trees. Its price is $3,200.00.

15. Black Cat Looking Through The Window Christmas Card

Black Cat Looking Through The Window Christmas Card

The card depicts a black cat looking through the window and sitting by the candle. The window is decorated with garlands, and it is a snowy night outside. The price o this card is $1,400.00.

16. Family & Pets Gathered by Fireplace

Family & Pets Gathered by Fireplace

An artwork from Tasha Tudor, this Christmas card shows a young family celebrating Christmas by the fireplace, reading books, and playing with their pets. It is in a mint condition and its price is $500.00.

17. Family Welcoming Their Tall Tree Christmas Tree

Family Welcoming Their Tall Tree Christmas Tree

This Christmas card has a similar theme to the previous one, and it shows a young family and its pets welcoming their Christmas tree. This card was also designed by Tasha Tudor, it is in a mint condition, and it costs $320.00.

Also Read  Top 8 Most Valuable Dollar Bills Worth Money

18. Bringing in the Tree Christmas Card By Tasha Tudor

Bringing in the Tree Christmas Card By Tasha Tudor

Another one designed by Tasha Tudor, this vintage Christmas card shows a boy, a girl, and a dog, dragging a Christmas tree over the snowy field. It has an unusual red frame and its price is $186.00.

19. Danish Christmas Card Posted In 1950 

Danish Christmas Card Posted In 1950

One of the cheapest items on our list, this Christmas card was printed in Denmark in 1950. It shows a Christmas tree branch with an apple, a Christmas gift, a cookie, and a pomegranate fruit. It only costs $10.00, which is very cheap for such a beautiful and well-preserved card.

20. Winter Wonderland CURRIER & IVES Christmas Card

Winter Wonderland CURRIER & IVES Christmas Card

This used Christmas card shows people skating on frozen ponds, with three horse carriages passing them by. On the back, it has a hand-written Christmas greeting. The cost is $7.50.

21. Hallmark Christmas Card With Cute Blond Angels

Hallmark Christmas Card With Cute Blond Angels

This vintage mid-century Hallmark Christmas card shows five angels flying and holding a framed piece of white paper that says “Greetings”. It is in a good condition, and it was signed inside. The price is $7.00.

22. Deer in Snowy Forest Standing By A Glowing Lighted Tree

Deer in Snowy Forest Standing By A Glowing Lighted Tree

The cheapest item on our list, this vintage Christmas card shows a deer standing in a snowy forest, observing a glowing Christmas tree. It is in a good condition and it costs only $1.75.

Summary

Although they are rarely used in everyday life, even during the Christmas holidays, Christmas cards remain popular among collectors due to their rarity, age, and fascinating history. Many people collect vintage Christmas cards because they bring a breath of Christmas spirit with them.

In this post, we listed more than twenty interesting Christmas cards. Some of them cost thousands of dollars, and they are highly valued among collectors. However, there are many cheap vintage Christmas cards out there, which is great for those who want to collect them without breaking the bank.

Do you keep old Christmas cards? What’s your favorite one? Share in the comments!

1 thought on “22 Most Valuable Antique Christmas Cards Worth Money”

  1. I started collecting Christmas cards when I found bags of them discarded. I went through them and felt it was a shame and sad to throw them all away. I decided to keep a good many of them and use them to decorate at Christmas. I have one from 1931 that is still unopened in the envelope. Not sure if I should open it or just keep it a mystery!!!!! I love the history of the cards, and it shows how important friends and family are even over the cross of time. I have many from the 1920s and 1930s but also a nice assortment from the 50s and 60s. I’m hoping my children will keep them and continue my tradition of decorating with them.

    Reply

Leave a Comment