THE GIFT SHOP AT THE ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM, OXFORD, UNITED KINGDOM
THE GIFT SHOP AT THE ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM, OXFORD, UNITED KINGDOM
Museum Store Sunday was launched a few years ago to remind the public what a wonderful source of interesting gifts museum shops can be and that purchases support the institutions. From stunning Christmas cards inspired by Renaissance artists, to sumptuous books, beautiful jewellery, clever gadgets, and yes, even the humble mug (tea tastes so much better from a fine bone China William Morris mug!) – oh, and did I mention gorgeous silk scarves and ties?
Interesting Christmas snippet: The V&A founder Henry Cole created the first Christmas card in 1843. I am not sure he would be impressed by its technological descendants! Cole helped was instrumental in reforming the British postal system, specifically to encourage the use of decorative correspondence cards. The first Christmas card was illustrated by his friend, the artist John Callcott Horsley and they were sold at a shilling a piece – ouch, expensive! You can read more about this on the V&A website here. So now you know who to blame for those hours of writing cards to long lost aunts, and who to thank for receiving piles of lovely annual messages from friends all around the world!
Museum Store Sunday was launched a few years ago to remind the public what a wonderful source of interesting gifts museum shops can be and that purchases support the institutions.
From stunning Christmas cards inspired by Renaissance artists, to sumptuous books, beautiful jewellery, clever gadgets, and yes, even the humble mug (tea tastes so much better from a fine bone China William Morris mug!) – oh, and did I mention gorgeous silk scarves and ties?
Interesting Christmas snippet: The V&A founder Henry Cole created the first Christmas card in 1843. I am not sure he would be impressed by its technological descendants! Cole helped was instrumental in reforming the British postal system, specifically to encourage the use of decorative correspondence cards.
The first Christmas card was illustrated by his friend, the artist John Callcott Horsley and they were sold at a shilling a piece – ouch, expensive! You can read more about this on the V&A website here. So now you know who to blame for those hours of writing cards to long lost aunts, and who to thank for receiving piles of lovely annual messages from friends all around the world!
THE WORLD'S FIRST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CHRISTMAS CARD
HENRY COLE
(1808-1882)
JOHN CALLCOTT-HORSLEY
(1817-1903)
THE WORLD'S FIRST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CHRISTMAS CARD
HENRY COLE
(1808-1882)
JOHN CALLCOTT-HORSLEY
(1817-1903)
The best plan to enjoy Museum Store Sunday is to visit a favourite, or a new, museum, on Sunday 27th November - support a local heritage venue or make a trip to a big city and take in the lights. Visits can be child-friendly – think dinosaurs, trains or spacecrafts. Teenagers, studying WW2, will be fascinated by Bletchley Park and the story of code breakers. Older companions will love the lights at Waddesdon Manor. Fashion students will be inspired at the V&A and interior design aficionados by the William Morris Gallery. This will get your Christmas season (and your shopping) off to a pleasant and civilised start. Very importantly, you will have the great satisfaction of knowing that a percentage of your spend is supporting the arts.
If logistics are complicated, most heritage venues now have great websites, where you can browse, compare and shop in the comfort of home, with a glass of mulled wine in hand. Make that a date on 27th November and see how many ticks you can you get on your present list before 1st December.
The best plan to enjoy Museum Store Sunday is to visit a favourite, or a new, museum, on Sunday 27th November - support a local heritage venue or make a trip to a big city and take in the lights. Visits can be child-friendly – think dinosaurs, trains or spacecrafts.
Teenagers, studying WW2, will be fascinated by Bletchley Park and the story of code breakers. Older companions will love the lights at Waddesdon Manor.
Fashion students will be inspired at the V&A and interior design aficionados by the William Morris Gallery. This will get your Christmas season (and your shopping) off to a pleasant and civilised start.
Very importantly, you will have the great satisfaction of knowing that a percentage of your spend is supporting the arts.
VINTAGE COMPUTERS at BLETCHLEY PARK MUSEUM
Photo by Farai Gandiya@
WINTER @ WADDESDON MANOR
Photo by Ed Hinchcliffe
FASHION RETROSPECTIVE @ the V&A MUSEUM
Photo by John Cameron
VINTAGE COMPUTERS at BLETCHLEY PARK MUSEUM
Photo by Farai Gandiya@
WINTER @ WADDESDON MANOR
Photo by Ed Hinchcliffe
FASHION RETROSPECTIVE @ the V&A MUSEUM
Photo by John Cameron
If Fox & Chave is one of your go-to gift websites, and we certainly hope it is, then you are still a supporter of the arts. We work closely with many museums in the UK and the USA and use their imagery under license. Royalties are paid for each sale made. We also supply museum shops from our collection of art-inspired silks and offer a Bespoke Production and design service. In fact that is our main business. Tune back in next year to read about our long and symbiotic relationship with museums and heritage sites in the UK, US and all over the world.
If logistics are complicated, most heritage venues now have great websites, where you can browse, compare and shop in the comfort of home, with a glass of mulled wine in hand. Make that a date on 27th November and see how many ticks you can you get on your present list before 1st December.
If Fox & Chave is one of your go-to gift websites, and we certainly hope it is, then you are still a supporter of the arts. We work closely with many museums in the UK and the USA and use their imagery under license. Royalties are paid for each sale made.
We also supply museum shops from our collection of art-inspired silks and offer a Bespoke Production and design service. In fact that is our main business. Tune back in next year to read about our long and symbiotic relationship with museums and heritage sites in the UK, US and all over the world.
