Just like many families today, Richard and Anna Wagner took annual holiday portraits, sending out the photos as Christmas cards to friends and family. From 1900 (when the couple first married) until 1942, the couple took portraits in front of their Christmas tree (sadly Richard passed the following year).

It’s fascinating to see not only the couple age, but the small additions here and there to the household as time passed and technology improved. 1900 – 1942 was also a period of great change in the world. From the Great Depression to World Wars I and II, you can spot some interesting items in the background such as a map of the German troops advances in WWI (1915) and a vacuum cleaner in 1927.

[Retronaut via Flavorwire]