Victorian Christmas and New Year’s Cards from the Turner Scrapbooks

Leila Virginia Cocke Turner

Leila Virginia Cocke Turner (1844-1899) and her daughter, Leila Mason Turner Rath (1872-1937), shared similar lives: both spent most of their lives on campus and attended Hollins Institute. Leila Virginia was the second child of Hollins founder, Charles Lewis Cocke, and Susanna Virginia Pleasants Cocke.

In 1871, she married Joseph A. Turner, Sr., Professor of Ancient and Modern Languages at Hollins and together they had two children: Leila Masters Turner and Joseph A. Turner, Jr.

Leila Mason Turner

While there are a number of record that document their lives in the University Archives, the most interesting items left behind were two scrapbooks filled with beautiful greeting cards. Shown here are just a few of the Christmas and New Year’s cards that they received from various relatives and friends. Leila Virginia’s scrapbook was begun ca.1882, while her daughter was given a scrapbook when she was thirteen years old, in 1885.

Some of the cards depict images of holly, ivy, and snow, traditional illustrations for modern day cards. However, many others include nautical and floral designs that are not associated with Christmas or New Year’s cards today.

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Artist's Palette Christmas Card.

Leila Mason Turner

Christmas card in shape of an artist's palette. Text: Sincere Christmas Greeting from Bettie." Scrapbook inscription: Bettie Bowman '87.
Badmiton Christmas Card.

Leila Mason Turner

Card is in shape of a badmiton racket. Text: "A Jolly Christmas."
Bank of Felicity New Year's Card.

Leila Mason Turner

Bank of Felicity. Check for 365 happy days. (New Year's card in form of a bank check.), Card inscribed "January 1886 | Richmond, Va. | to Miss L. M. Turner, | From Montgomery West."
Clam Shell Christmas Card

Leila Virginia Turner

Card is an open clam shell with fringes. Text: A Christmas Wish." Scrapbook inscription: Leila | From Mary Cobb | Christmas, 1883. Right clam shell depicts a boy standing on a plank near a boat. The boy is holding oars and is beckoning to the girl on the left. The left side of shell depicts a girl leaning against a post on the beach. An anchor is on the ground, leaning against the post.
Dandy Christmas Card

Leila Mason Turner

Card feature a well-dressed gentleman (dandy) with wings.Text: This dandy, in his dainty dress, has come your Christmas feast to bless; I hope his style may not offend, he bears the greetings of a friend. Scrapbook text: Dr. [Sydnor?] X-mas 1886.
Fan-shaped Christmas Card

Leila Mason Turner

Fan-shaped card. Text: May Christmas fill the heart with gladness. Scrapbook inscription: Miss Julia 1887."
Hail! Christmas! Card

Leila Virginia Turner

Fringed Christmas card with vertical orientation decorated with greenery, berries, and a bird. Text: Hail! Christmas! Dear old Christmas thou art near. Do not fail our hearts to cheer. Inscription on card: "From Mrs. Edward | Xmas 181." (Last digit of date missing.) Left fringe is attached to scrapbook gutter.
Happy and Bright New Year Card

Leila Virginia Cocke Turner

Floral design with text: A happy and bright New Year! Scrapbook inscription: "From | Libby Thompson| N.Y.'s Day-1883."
Holly and Ivy New Year's Card

Leila Mason Turner

New Year's card with holly, berries, and ivy. Text: New Year. Glad New Year I wish you, with brightness brimming o'er. A year of peace and plenty, from fortune's golden store. A glad new year I wish you, And best that can befall. The blessing of the Father who knows the needs of all. Scrapbook text: "Annie Hicks-Xmas '85." Poem by H. M. Bumside (?). There is an artist's initials but illegible.
Lord of Misrule Christmas card.

Leila Mason Turner

Pug seated on a padded, fringed stool, surrounded by three other dogs. Text: A happy Christmas." Poem on card: Ho! Ho! Mr. Pug, 'tis clear that you think posession's nine points of the law as you sit on that stool like a Lord of Misrule and fill your companions with awe. A.W.-B. Inscription in scrapbook: Lottie Hatchen '87.
Orange Flowers Christmas Card.

Leila Mason Turner

Orange flowers with pine sprig. Text: True Christmas joys be yours in heart and home. Scrapbook inscription: Sadie Brandos (Brandor?), X-mas '85.
Ring Christmas Bells Christmas Card

Leila Virginia Turner

Card with vertical orientation, decorated with flowers and pine sprig.Text: Ring on Ye Christmas Bells, and gladden all the Earth,Your Silv'ry music tells of our Redeemer's birth. Scrapbook inscription: From Bettie Johnson | January 1881
Rocking Boat Christmas Card

Leila Mason Turner

Card opens to stand; boat attached separately, with a weight attached underneath, allowing it to rock. Text: A smooth course o'er life's sea, is my Christmas wish for thee." Scrapbook notation: Mrs. Wilson | Xmas-188." (Last digit of date left off.)
Roses and Pine New Year's Card

Leila Mason Turner

Pine sprigs with roses card. Text: Wishing You a Happy New Year." Scrapbook inscription: Debby Le Sassier (?) xmas '83 (?) [Name and last digit of year is difficult to read.]
Seaside Children New Year's Card

Leila Virginia Turner

Fringed card depicting three children seated or standing on a rocky beach. One child has a fishing net and another child has a fishing pole. Text: With Every Good Wish for the New Year. Scrapbook inscription: "From Hally Bryan-N.Y.'s Day-1883.
Season's Compliments Christmas Card

Leila Virginia Turner

Fringed card with flowers. Text: All Happiness to You & the Season's Compliments. Left fringe is attached to scrapbook gutter.
Woman and Child Christmas Card

Leila Virginia Turner

Vertical card with fringes, depicting a woman with child in the snow with a crescent moon in background. Text: A Merry Christmas! Scrapbook inscription: "From Bessie Edwards X-mas 1882.