Antique 1903 HAND PAINTED CELLULOID, FIRST COMMUNION HOLY CARD, FRANCE 4.5" For Sale

This card is one of several that came from an estate. They are all celluloid and hand painted, with slightly different accents. It is a beautiful, hand painted First Communion calligraphy lettered piece. The celluloid is slightly translucent, so the beautiful writing on the back shows through a bit to the front. It doesn't detract. I am not sure how it was made. It is definitely hand painted. The card is matte on the front, and shiny on the back. You can see the design on the back; especially the flowers on the left. In addition to the hand painting, it has a Victorian scrap First Communion girl with a little banner. Victorian scrap are bright colored chromolithograph die cuts that were REALLY popular during the Victorian era, used by just about everyone for scrapbooks, and for card making, and more. Hence... "Victorian ... Scrap". It is 4.5" tall and about 2.75" wide. This one is used and has a name on it, probably the recipient, and a date of 1903. I have other celluloid cards, so take a peek.
Holy cards have been around since at least the 15th century. As the years have gone on, the cards became more elaborate. The Nuns and Friars in the monasteries often created hand made holy cards and scapulars as special "blessings" for special events and for patron Saints.