Another piece of family history that I inherited was my great-grandmother Nelle's scrapbook. She worked on filling this scrapbook during her youth from about 1896-1910. Many children and young women of the time kept scrapbooks filled with beautiful illustrations from Victorian trade cards and magazine advertisements. Victorian trade cards became popular advertising tools in the late 1800's when color illustrations were becoming more common in advertising. One side of a trade card looks like a greeting card or Valentine, while the other side has the print advertisement for anything from sewing machines to coffee. I have always thought these cards were gorgeous, but didn't realize their historical significance. Many libraries have collections of Victorian trade cards which have now been digitized, and there is even an Ephemera Society of America to promote interest and appreciation for these historical treasures.
I will post some of my great-grandmother's here for your enjoyment. I'd like to think I have a similar eye and appreciation for beautiful things.
Trade Card for Pozzoni's Complexion Powder, St. Louis, MO
Trade Card for the Western and Southern Life Insurance Company of Cincinnati
Created by the Henderson Lithograph Company, Cincinnati, OH
Easter Greeting Trade Card from Woolson Spice Co., Toledo, OH
Created by Knapp Lithograph Company, New York
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