See Through / Hold To Light / See Thro ~ Emotions Greeting Cards

See Through / Hold To Light Cards

Hold to light cards are known under many names; Hold To Light, Hold Up To The Light, HTL, See Through, See Thro, Look Through, Look Thro. and Metamorphosis Cards. There are two types of Hold To Light Cards. One type of card appears to be a black and white card (transparencies) until it is held up to the light revealing color, and then, there is the card that is die cut and has cut outs in the top piece of the card and colored paper is layered underneath. When this card is held to the light it has almost a stained glass window appearance. Any postcard that creates a different image if held to the light is considered a Hold To Light Card. Some are as simple as black and white to color or as day to night while others are as complicated as a Man to a Woman. Below are some examples.

Transparency Examples

These two cards by the manufacture Wolf Hagelberg
are among the first cards
known as "see through or hold to light" cards.
When these cards are held to the light
they appear to be in color (see below)

(Click on thumbnails to view in its actual size)

In small lettering this card reads:
From the day to the night - how sudden and strange
Hold up to the light - what an exquisite change

In small lettering this card reads:
Pray hold this card up to the light
And you shall see a charming site

This card manufactured by B. Hoffman
shows a wonderful Easter Scene when
held up to the light.

Die Cut Examples

This card manufactured by D.R.G.M is an example
of a Die Cut Hold To Light Card.
The card has cut outs in the windows of the house,
the moon and ground and seems to glow when held up to the light to view.

Also manufactured by . D. R. G. M.
this card also has cutouts in the windows of the house
and the moon as well as the text, that reads: "A Merry Christmas".

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