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Part of a set of six postcards featuring designs by members of the Faculty of Royal Designers for Industry

Part of a set of six postcards featuring designs by members of the Faculty of Royal Designers for Industry

Part of a set of six postcards featuring designs by members of the Faculty of Royal Designers for Industry

In 1758 the Society made the first of its many awards intended to promote reafforestation in Great Britain. A gold medal was awarded to Henry, fifth Duke of Beaufort, to mark the planting of acorns 'for the raising of Oak Timber' upon 23 acres of his estate at Hawkesbury, Gloucestershire. The artist, Anna Zinkeisen has depicted the Duke (in a red coat) listening as his steward, Robert Croucher, reads an advertisement of the conditions upon which the Society's offer of the medal was made. The mounted figure on the left is the Duke's sister, Lady Anne Somerset. Badminton House, the Duke's seat, can be seen in the distance. 24,000 copies sold.

Part of a set of six postcards featuring designs by members of the Faculty of Royal Designers for Industry

Part of a pack of ten, all with slightly different designs. Developed from an original Christmas card design sold by the RSA in 1991

Part of a pack of ten, all with slightly different designs. Developed from an original Christmas card design sold by the RSA in 1991

Part of a pack of ten, all with slightly different designs. Developed from an original Christmas card design sold by the RSA in 1991

Part of a pack of ten, all with slightly different designs. Developed from an original Christmas card design sold by the RSA in 1991

Part of a pack of ten, all with slightly different designs. Developed from an original Christmas card design sold by the RSA in 1991

Part of a pack of ten, all with slightly different designs. Developed from an original Christmas card design sold by the RSA in 1991

Part of a pack of ten, all with slightly different designs. Developed from an original Christmas card design sold by the RSA in 1991

Part of a pack of ten, all with slightly different designs. Developed from an original Christmas card design sold by the RSA in 1991

Shows the Society's House on left

The subject of the 1956 Christmas card was chosen from the records of Benjamin Franklin's association with the Society in view of the 200th anniversary on September 1st 1956 of his election to membership and of the 250th anniversary of his birth, which was celebrated in January 11th 1956. The designer, Miss Anna Zinkeisen, has reconstructed a meeting held on February 3rd 1759, of the committee responsible for fine art competitions, at this meeting selected candidates were interviewed for confirmation of their awards. The minutes of the meeting give a list of those who were present, and from contemporary portraits Miss Zinkeisen has been able to select those shown: Judges: Benjamin Franklin (seated), William Chambers (standing behind chair), Edward Hooper and James 'Athenian' Stuart (looking at figure drawn by Richard Cosway). Candidates: William Peters (being examined by Benjamin Franklin), Richard Cosway and Henry Pingo (seated at end of room). 25,000 copies sold.

The first known Christmas card appeared in 1843. The artist was J C Horsley, RA, who carried out the work at the suggestion of Henry Cole, a staunch supporter of the Society and Chairman of Council in 1850 and 1852. 25,000 copies sold.

Designed by Miss Anna Zinkeisen, incorporates the features of five members whose portraits can now be traced as: Dr Stephen Hales (at far end of table), Henry Baker and Viscount Folkestone (both standing), Lord Romney and William Shipley (centre of table, far side). The others present at the meeting were John Goodchild, Gustavus Brander, James Short, Nicholas Crisp, Charles Lawrence and Husband Messiter. 22,500 copies sold.

Viscount Folkestone was the first President of the Society of Arts, 1755-1761. 13,000 sold

Fifth painting in a series entitled 'The Progress of Human Knowledge and Culture', displayed in the Great Room. Key to some of the portraits on reverse of card. It depicts officers and members of the Society distributing its awards to encourage arts, manufactures and commerce in the presence of the then Prince of Wales, later George IV. Beyond is an idealised representation of the river front of Somerset House and the dome of St Paul's. In the centre, a young female prizewinner is being presented to the Duchess of Northumberland by Mrs Montagu, and the Duchess of Rutland and Devonshire are grouped behind them, a reminder that membership of the Society was from its earliest years open to women. The founder of the Society is seated bottom left.