The survival of each postcard image printed up to 100 years ago depended on the quantity printed and whether the were collected by people who preserved them. Then if they were passed down through several generations of family members before being sold to an antique dealer, they may have survived. The number sold of each image depended on the popularity of the scene or attraction.
Chinese New Year by the Chinese Calendar
The Year of the Ox
In the Chinese zodiac, twelve animals are used to denote the year of a person’s birth: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. This is called a person’s shengxiao (sheng means the year of birth, xiao means resemblance) or shuxiang. This year, 2009, is designated the Year of the Ox (1) or year 4706 in the Chinese lunar calendar. The upcoming Chinese lunar New Year will fall on January 26, 2009. The Ox, or the Buffalo sign symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work. Those born under the influence of the Ox or Buffalo are fortunate to be stable and persevering. The typical Ox is a tolerant person with strong character.
Beneath the placid and unpretentious exterior of the “Earth Ox” lies a heart of gold and a willingness to bear heavy burdens that might overwhelm others.
(1) 己丑 Ji Chou: Ji is the sixth of the Ten Celestial Stems and Chou is the second of the Twelve Terrestrial Branches
Rubell's Antiques 