Picture
1400’s  Greeting cards were exchanged firstly by the early Chinese as a New Year blessing and the early wealthy, early Egyptians sent slips and scrolls on papyrus started out as simple slips of papyrus as a celebration of holidays such as Valentine's Day.

Mid 1800’s  The invention of the commercial printing press and the production of the  postage stamp allowed middle class as well as the wealthy to enjoy the pleasure of sending and receiving greeting cards. Cards and card making material was still too costly for everyone to purchase or make.

Some famous greeting card names

Kate Greenaway - was a Victorian children's writer and illustrator whose cards were very elaborate. She made pop-up cards, shaped some like fans or crescents, and others cut into shapes of birds or bells.

George C. Whitney - The George C. Whitney valentine manufacturing company was in business from 1866 to the 1940s and became one of the largest valentine publishers in the U. S. with offices in New York, Chicago, and Boston.

Ellen Clapsaddle - One of the most prolific greeting card artists. Today her cards are some of the most collectible and sell for up to $200, with the mechanical cards going for $400 and more.

Joyce C. Hall - Founded Hallmark in Kansas City in 1916. Today, Hallmark sells over 12 million cards a year.

2000s  Today the trend seems to be to return to the handmade and limited edition art print cards trend that was popular in the Victorian era and cards and card making materials have become inexpensive and available for all budgets. Many cards are blank message, allowing the sender to write a personal greeting. These days we do not need any reason to send a card, other than an expression of friendship. 100 reasons to send a card.