Christmas Long Ago

Here is a uniquely welcome gift for all who treasure the idea of an old-fashioned Christmas. Take a Victorian-inspired journey through the holiday as it was celebrated a century and more ago, beginning in the cold snows of early December and ending with the departure of guests on Christmas night. The book tells of games, gifts, decorations, superstitions, beliefs, fashions, foods, and fun, all presented in illustrated bursts of history combined with the thoughts and poetry of the Victorians themselves. A visual treat, richly peppered with vintage trade cards, greeting cards, photographs, and artwork from period magazines for a scrapbook-like kaleidoscope of colors and impressions, this is Christmas history at its best and most playful. As Charles Dickens wrote, "it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas." A value guide to the items shown makes this book a valuable resource as well, offering guidance for new and seasoned collectors alike.