The same holidays are celebrated differently over the years: there are new rules and traditions, and something vanishes. Now more and more Easter cards appear, and they are again accepted to give to relatives and friends on Easter, though a few decades ago this cozy tradition was forgotten. Now people remebered about it again, and for the first time Easter cards of the Russian production appeared at the end of the 19th century in Russian Empire.
Fashion for Easter cards came from Europe, where to give cards with chickens and Easter hares was very popular. That is why the very first samples of postcards in Russia were with the same motives and were copied exactly, only the greeting inscription was changed.

In 1893, the community of Saint Eugenia of the Red Cross was established in Russia, consisting of young sisters who provided medical care. A few years later, in search of funds, the community of St. Eugenia organized its publishing house, which was called: "The Publishing House of the St. Eugenia Community." The publishing house was headed by Varvara Petrovna Schneider, a graduate of the art school, who formed a circle of artists and writers who took an active part in the development of the artistic program of the Community Publishing House. It was charitable — the money from the sale went to the needs of the Red Cross.

Publishing community was one of the first in Russia to make postcards, reproductions, posters. The publishing of artistic envelopes and open letters (postcards) with watercolors by famous Russian artists began in 1897, when the company's clerk Ivan Mikhailovich Stepanov ordered the artist Nikolai Karazin four drawings, which were printed for Easter in 1897. This year is the year of the first Russian Easter postcards, though they still reminded of European postcards. One of the most popular imagies at the time was the egg with flowers. There were also exotic options, such as a lady`s lace umbrella — fashionistas really loved to give such cards.

Over the years, artists began to focus more and more on Russian traditions and other images appeared on Easter cards:

Many famous Russian artists took part in the creation of Easter cards. Ivan Bilibin's postcards were popular, especially "Kulich-City".

Kramskoy artist:

A special place is occupied by the Easter cards by Elizabeth Boehm. She was also loved because she illustrated children's magazines Igrushechka (lit. Toy) and Malutka (lit. Baby) in the late 19th century, Russian fairy tales, amazing "ABC", children's albums of "Proverbs in Silhouettes" and "Idioms and Sayings in Silhouettes". Black silhouettes are one of the distinctive features of this artist's work.

The protagonists of postcards by Elizabeth Boehm were kids. Moreover, the cards were so light and cozy that they were one of the most beloved among the people. Many postcards in addition to greetings had sayings or instructive inscriptions as such postcards were given to children.

Happy Easter! Peace and Prosperity to your home and your beloved ones!

Thank you for your attention. Below are the wonderful postcards by Elizabeth Boehm.