New Year's Card by Edith Cleaves Barry (1888-1969), 1927: "May the Gods Send You a New Year Laden with Propitious Gifts." Brick Store Museum Collection.

The Brick Store Museum's founder, Edith Cleaves Barry (1884-1969), was a prolific artist. Among her vast number of corporate commissions and engraved bookplate art in the Museum's collections is a series of charming holiday cards that Barry designed for herself, family and friends.

Created from World War I through the 1960s, these cards showcase Edith Barry's considerable talent and the artistic styles of the day.  Barry’s works often include a line of verse in which she mentions current events or imparts sociopolitical commentary. 

Easily recognizable are references to the family hometown of Montclair, New Jersey, Barry’s own East 66th Street milieu in New York City, her Zion’s Hill (Summer Street) second home in Kennebunk, visits to The Huntington, and—beginning in 1936—her beloved Brick Store Museum.  Barry traveled extensively, and detailed imagery from journeys with sister, Julia (Barry) Bodman, and friend Mary Wadleigh also figures prominently.

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