Christmas Tart Cards

Didn't know what to share with you today - no weekend spanking story to relate so here's a post of some pictures from a book I found a few years back called 'Tart Cards'.

Some of you may remember the book and pictures I shared. For my new readers - Tart cards were often printed cards (though some of the early ones were handwritten/drawn) and placed in London telephone boxes by the working girls advertising their different type of services during the 1980's when a loophole in the law meant they were not, strictly speaking, illegal. 

The practice of placing cards was known as carding. It is a particularly English phenomenon specific to London and seaside resort around Brighton and Hove (though they did appear in other towns) For the printers who were prepared to take the risk they represented a very regular and lucrative business.

Sex sells but ironically sex was the one word that was not used on the cards. Hand written, euphemism, double entendres, catch phrases, plain text, rhymes and a specialised vocabulary.

As Christmas was a busy one for the girls they tried to bring as much humour and wit to their Christmas working cards with distinctive illustrations and text in order to entice their clients. They have to be inventive and persuasive with their vocabulary in order to sell their wares. Such as 'Treat yourself to some Kinky Kristmas Kapers' or visit a 'Stunning Christmas cracker waiting to be pulled'

Here are some of the Christmas theme cards, a bit tenuous with some of them but I thought they were amusing.

"The images that accompany the slogans and the many hand drawn cards with holly, ivy or a cracker adds to the allure and charm of these particular Christmas working cards". Equally festive words play a part.

as this parody nursery rhyme shows - Sing-a-song-of-sixpence:

Sing a song of Christmas.

a grotto full of toys,

Lots of canes, whips and chains,

for all you naughty boys.

Or this playful rhyme:

Christmas cracker needs some fun!Come along and spank her bum

Some preferred word-play and one liners :

'Good Queen Wence-lust, with the 42" bust'.

or

'Red hot Xmas cracker'

'Let me play with your Jingle bells'

 Hope you enjoyed them. 

You can see more of these cards here and here (not Christmas ones)

Have a good week.

Ronnie
xx