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Business Cards History (2)

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III. Business Cards
19th century
Visiting cards were an essential accessory to any 19th century European or American middle class lady or gentleman. Read about one's social obligations of that time.

IV. Calling Card Etiquette
Ladies' and gentlemen's Calling Cards were to be exchanged according to the existing etiquette rules.
What are those p.p. marks on Calling Cards? Read about the simple etiquette that oiled the wheels of friendship in earlier times.
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History of the business card - page 2

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II. Tradecards, 17th century (England)
Tradecards, considered to precede business cards, were used in all parts of England.

The earliest forms of tradecards were to be found at the beginning of the 17th century in London. These were used as advertising and also as maps, directing the public to merchant's stores, as there was no formal street numbering system at the time.

Business Card History - Tradecard 1

 

 

Business Card History - Tradecard 2

The popularity of tradecards soared as they were most effective advertising as newspapers of the time were not well developed and tradecards by directing the reader to a merchant played the similar role to today's online media. The earliest forms of tradecards were printed by the woodcut or letterpress method. By the 18th century, copperplate engraving became the most popular method. Up to the 19th century, tradecards were still done in monotones, or with simple tints. As businesses grew, so did the production and distribution of tradecards. Around 1830, lithography using several colors became an established method in Europe.

During the 19th century new technology and improved speed of communication made the distribution of newspapers and periodicals more practical. Advertising in these media became more affordable and more widespread.

The advent of the machinery that was so lavishly displayed and advertised, was in itself responsible for the downfall of the tradecard industry.

Business Card History - Tradecard 3

Business Card History - Tradecard 4

 
see also:- The Development of Print Technology

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Business card history page 2

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Business Card History
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The history of business card text is used with kind permission of our friends at BeLight Software, makers and suppliers of the highly-rated Business Card Composer for Mac OS X.

Belight Software

Business Card Composer for Mac OS X

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