Original trade card with a color illustration of flowers against a gilt background. No date, circa 1881. 3" x 4 1/2." Trade card is very clean and intact overall except for age toning on back, a minuscule bump in upper-right corner, and an almost imperceptible wrinkle in the lower-left corner. A Near Fine copy. Trade card for an unknown dealer specializing in teas and coffees. Printer's information at bottom: "Bufford's, Boston." Trade cards were antique business cards that first became popular during the late seventeenth century in Paris and Lyon, France and London, England. Trade cards were often given by business owners and proprietors to patrons and customers as a way to promote their businesses. Prior to the use of street addresses, trade cards had maps so clients could locate the associated business. Many of these cards also incorporated elaborate designs, illustrations, and other decorative features. Trade cards became popular in the United States during the nineteenth century in the period after the Civil War. The late nineteenth century also saw the advent of trade card collecting as a hobby. While they are no longer in use, trade cards influenced the formation of trading cards and were the predecessors of modern-day business cards.
Title: Original Trade Card - "Teas, Coffees, Rich strong and Fragrant. 15 to 20 per c. saved. Always Boston Branch, Spencer."
Location Published: Boston, MA, Bufford's
Binding: No Binding
Book Condition: Collectible-Near Fine (Near Fine)
Type: Ephemera
Categories: Cooking, Business and Finance, Trade Cards
Seller ID: 023343
