Trade cards were very popular in the Victorian era from 1880-1900. They typically were used for advertising and would sometimes include company logos. On average, the size of the cards were about the size of an index card. They would be handed out for free as a “cheap and effective way to advertise products and services.” They also became collectors items for many people who would paste them into scrapbooks. After the trade cards became printed in color, the number of collectors increased.

The pictures on the front include the stylistic features of the Victorian era such as rosy cheeks along with having a cute and sweet feel to them while the back side include more advertising information. “Ironically, they portray happy children with their pets and at play, at a time when many children were working long hours

in the unsuitable and dangerous environment of the mills. The cards also present peaceful-looking landscapes and waterscapes.”

I think its interesting that the reason why there are still many of these trade cards around is because they were kept safe in the scrapbooks of the collectors at the time.

DH

Sources:

http://www.antiquebottles.com/tradecards/

http://www.quiltersmuse.com