An Original Handwritten and Signed Letter by Christmas Card Inventor Sir Henry Cole. Dated 1866. A letter discussing a metal manufacturing process in Birmingham. Sir Henry Cole 1808 – 1882 was an English civil servant and inventor who facilitated many innovations in education and the arts in the 19th century in the United Kingdom. Cole is credited with devising the concept of sending greetings cards at Christmas time, introducing the world's first commercial Christmas card in 1843. Size is 180 x 115mm. Condition is good. Light folding crease.