Sir Henry Cole FRSA was a British civil servant and inventor who facilitated many innovations in commerce and education in the 19th century in the United Kingdom. Cole is credited with devising the concept of sending greetings cards at Christmas time, introducing the world's first commercial Christmas card in 1843.
Woodburytype of Henry Cole by Lock & Whitfield.
The world's first commercially produced Christmas card, made by artist John Callcott Horsley for Henry Cole in 1843.
The 1851 Great Exhibition in Hyde Park.
Cole caricatured, as "King Cole", in Vanity Fair, 19 August 1871.
The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, commonly known as the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), is a London-based organisation.
The RSA building (18th-century engraving)
Front façade of the RSA building at 8 John Adam Street in London
The RSA building, rear façade (facing the Strand)