Greetings on special occasions have been recorded since the times of the Chinese dynasties. In the UK the development of printing led to the use of greetings cards from the 1500's onwards although due to the cost they were exclusively used by the nobility. By 1700 printing methods had reduced the price and cards began to get more common. Surpisingly the most common card in these times was the Valentine Card although cards were produced  for Christmas, Easter and the Saints Days. Posted 31 December 1906 To Miss Burgess , Holly House, London Road, Chelmsford, Essex Message Dear Rose Just a card to wish you a very happy new year. Hope you got home alright. Hope to see you again soon With fond love and kisses x x x x x x x Yours Vinnie By 1800 they were beginning to be more common and in 1843 John Calcott Horsley produced 1000 Christmas cards . This is accepted to be the first commercially produced Christmas Card proving  so successful that Christmas cards were commonplace in the UK by 1855. By later Victorian times greetings cards were a popular item. Many of the cards were elaborate featuring complicated designs or some action such a flower opening although at the other end of the marker greetings cards were simple postcards with a picture and message on one side and the space on the rear for a message. Some examples of Edwardian greetings cards that have actually been used to send greetings are displayed below.
	Christmas Posted  24 December 1909 Message Just a card to wish you a very Happy Christmas & a Bright and Prosperous New Year with Best Wishes from Frank Easter Posted 23 March 1908 No message     Birthday Posted 4 February 1911 Message To Dear Minnie With best wishes for a happy birthday From Ethel Birthday Posted 1 December 1911 Message My dear Annie Just a card to wish you many happy returns of the day. We shall be very pleased to see you tomorrow. Your loving friend Ruth         Birthday Posted 31 May 1911 Message Dear J This is to convey my very best wishes for a very happy birthday and many happy returns From Lizzie