Victorian trade cards offer a fascinating glimpse into the colorful world of late 19th-century American life. These early forms of advertising, popularized after the Civil War, provide a unique window into popular culture and society.
Originating in 18th-century England as simple advertisements for tradesmen, trade cards flourished in America with the advent of color lithography in the 1870s. This innovation allowed for mass production, ushering in a golden age from 1876 to the early 1900s.
Typically featuring an eye-catching image on one side and an advertisement on the other, trade cards promoted a vast array of products, from medicines and sewing notions to farm equipment and Clipper Ship voyages. While some cards were custom-designed, others were stock cards adaptable for various businesses.
Today, Victorian trade cards are highly collectible, offering a delightful visual journey back in time. Rare examples, such as those advertising Clipper Ship travel to California during the Gold Rush, can even be worth thousands of dollars!