Victorian Trade Cards & Holders

Although trade cards have been in existence since the 1600’s, the advent of color lithography of the late Victorian era was what popularized them. Although they were part of marketing campaigns by companies who were eager for business and needed to advertise, these cards later became collectible in most households. In most Victorian homes, a table by the front door would have a table with a card holder. The card holder sometimes was made of glass or other material but others would have huge scrapbooks full of cards.

Black and white trade cards were the originals but with color lithography came more beautiful and ornately decorated cards advertising everything from dentist and doctor’s offices to tobacco products, which later included pictures of baseball players and became very collectible. However, ladies also carried their own trade cards and would leave them behind at homes they visited, but where the intended was not home.

The picture on the bottom shows a Victorian Card Holder made 1898 by the Tarentum Glass Company in Tarentum, Pennsylvania. This card holder is in the Heart & Thumbprint Pattern and is made of clear glass with gilt trim.