Perhaps someone can explain the origin of this Christmas card which arrived today
Miniature people dressed up as rodents roasting a rat!
I'm totally intrigued !
I've caught up with those pre Christmas jobs, posted gifts for friends in Derbyshire, Australia ( late!) and to my nephew in Kent and dropped off other bits to people I won't see.
Everyone seems to have had the same idea .
Animal Helper Pat called around with a bunch of long holly sprigs covered in berries and a bara brith wrapped in her ususl silver foil topped with a red ribbon.
Rosemary and German Bernard, Olwen and Mr L left cards and gifts and all complained that they hadn't seen much of me this past year
I shrugged...an apology
I saw Jason the Affable despot too...we are arranging a beer or two before Christmas .
He's had his hair cut and looks even more boyish than usual
I've lit the fire and hung the cards around the living room
Below are a few of the finalists of most original Christmas card
Homemade cauliflower soup is simmering in the kitchen
That grisly card looks like an antidote to 'Best wishes'! And I shouldn't be at all surprised to hear that the poor rat is still alive.
ReplyDeleteYou can make me some of that cauliflower soup for when I visit you - sometime this side of 2030? (with a bit of luck). No garlic, thank you!
You are always very welcome Raymondo x
DeleteI look forward immensely to meeting all your 'family', JayGee.
DeleteVictorian Christmas cards were creepy although not to the Victorians themselves. I would say this is an example of one.
ReplyDeleteRachel is correct ...
DeleteAround the fire at Christmas (Victorian card, roasting a rat). Christmas postcard, by De la Rue and Co., 19th century
Perhaps you have been sent a reproduction?
Do you know the background of the card and why it is the way it is?
DeleteIt's just that there was a mischievous trend in Victorian Christmas card production. A touch of weirdness was considered attractive and humorous in some quarters. There is no deeper meaning to the card - it is just a weird flight of fancy - a bit like sending around funny clips via social media in the modern world.
DeleteVictorian humour was a bit weird by today's standards and death was taken as the norm so like you often get dead birds, rabbits etc in paintings even by female artists you get this sort of thing with "Have a Merry Christmas" on Christmas cards. It was to cheer themselves up and have a laugh.
DeleteI believe the card is from the "Let's Get Rat-Arsed at Christmas" series.
ReplyDeleteYou would xx
DeleteI think that I may have an answer to the riddle John- I fancy myself as a bit of a detective in my spare time- the significance is of a shrew on Christmas Island at this time of year perhaps x
ReplyDeleteTell me more Sherlock
DeleteWell,I'm not Always right John,but as shrews are so rare on Christmas Island they may be a gift to behold-it had got rather cold in the snow and the kindly people were warming it to save the poor little creature x
DeleteI have no idea about that odd card with the rat. The finalist cards are indeed an interesting array.
ReplyDeleteOur packages are mailed but the Christmas cards are not. That's on today's list.
Hugs!
I think it’s the White House residents at last Christmas’ dinner . Seems their style.
ReplyDeleteOooohhhh
DeleteYou're way ahead of us. We haven't got our tree yet or sent cards. But hey ... we still have 11 days left! As for the card? I chalk it up to that quirky British sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteIt's an American card from Virginia
DeleteI haven't a clue about that card. Very bizarre. I hope to have Christmas preparations (such that they are) finished on Monday.
ReplyDeleteI have the 23rd and 24 th off l.. then working the rest xx
DeleteRodent roasting - very intriguing. I hope someone can enlighten you!
ReplyDeleteAh, I've just noticed the explanation above from Carol. A very strange sort of Christmas card!
DeleteI'm glad my card made it to you! I hope it's a contender. I agree, it is a bizarre card. Other than knowing it is "Victorian" I also wonder about its origin and meaning, if there is one.
ReplyDeleteSee above xx
DeleteLOL! I looked up the image, it's called "Around the fire at Christmas."
ReplyDeleteAny other info?
DeleteThink I'd have to hide that card behind all the others!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice pottering kind of day. I think the card at the top of the post has to be in the final of the most original Christmas card!
ReplyDeleteI have quite a few selected x
DeleteYou are getting a good assortment. I sent one a week ago - hope it arrives by Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYes, Rachel and Carol above are correct. Years ago I was given a collection of twenty De la Rue cards, some were humorous but some were quite grisly. Amongst them were the one you have and also one of rats pulling sledges that had little people on. I gave them to someone I knew who collected them and don't know what happened to them after he'd died.
ReplyDeleteI'm envious of you getting stuff done, I have lots to do to the point of feeling overwhelmed by it but I'm suffering from a bad bout of procrastination.
Have a great weekend whatever you're doing.
I am exactly the same Heidi,I have bought stuff- bunged it in cupboards somewhere,cards and letters to write,wreaths and posies to make,people to visit,house to clean and I will do anything But get on with it-I'm always the same-somehow,magically it seems to get done at the last minute though x
DeleteI’m clueless about the rat art. Very unusual Christmas card.
ReplyDeleteIt beats silver balls eh?
DeleteIsn't that supposed to be Silver Bells? :)
DeleteHugs!
Pinterest has this -
ReplyDeleteSaved from
UC Gallery
Around the fire at Christmas (Victorian card, roasting a rat). Christmas postcard, by De la Rue and Co., 19th century. There are photos but not much text.
Well, it beats the usual 'Virgin and Child' motif, doesn't it? Lol.
ReplyDeleteLork/Pamb chop on Thursday
ReplyDeleteRoasted Rat today
What is the next culinary delight to feast our eyes on l wonder?
Tess x
Compliments of the season, indeed!
ReplyDeleteI think the card is from "The Borrowers in the Outback."
ReplyDeleteThat card is hideous but I love the bird on the back of your ones on show - is it a card?
ReplyDeleteyour carved bird, maybe a curlew or sandpiper is exceptional, behind the card line up.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have been sent that card. It's a keeper.
ReplyDeleteTwo entries with a bit of background:
ReplyDeleteThis one shows that card specifically:
https://weirdchristmas.com/2017/12/13/more-dead-bird-cards/
This one talks more about the Victorian tradition of dead things cards:
https://weirdchristmas.com/2015/12/03/dead-birds/
It is a good season to not be a rat. Happy Christmas. We are looking forward to seeing the cards.
ReplyDeleteApparently those Victorians were pretty hard core. As my friend would say, "You do you."
ReplyDeleteI found another Victorian Christmas card, a dead cat on a table, surrounded by mice with knives and forks.
ReplyDeleteI like the Victoria card because it's bizarre and definitely a conversation piece.
ReplyDeleteI love your posts, and I love reading the comment sections just as much!
ReplyDelete