Great Boston sleigh passing the Norfolk House, Roxbury

Description

The cover of this Christmas card presents a detailed view of a sleigh, named Cleopatra's Barge and filled with people, led by a driver and propelled by a team of eight horses after a heavy snowstorm. A number of buildings and several churches are depicted in the background. Two small sleighs appear in the foreground. The card is from the Merchants National Bank of Boston, Massachusetts, and is signed by Charles Stratton on the inside.

The inside of the card has a sheet that says, "A century ago sleighing was a popular activity in Boston. Every winter after a heavy snowstorm a sleigh carnival was held which might be compared in interest to a baseball World Series of our time. From miles around young and old came in their sleighs to participate in, or to observe this gala occasion. Gaily painted sleighs and cutters were drawn by 'blood-flyers', singly, in pairs, and four-in-hands. In this scene, occupying a conspicuous position, is Ward's famous Barge with its splendid team of eight grays, the ribbons held by an accomplished 'whip'. Life on the road is here depicted in its most attractive phase."