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Calling cards

Description

Also known as visiting cards, the use of calling cards originated in Europe. American calling cards were often more elaborate than their British counterparts. They could be printed in color on cards in a variety of sizes, and employed many different typefaces, borders, and chromolithographed decorative designs. Calling cards were left with the servant who answered the door when no meeting took place between the mistress of the house and the caller. Leaving one's card was a simple gesture to indicate that a call had been made.

Source: Maurice Rickards, Encyclopedia of Ephemera.

Details

Descriptive Terms

visiting cards

Physical Description

approximately 630 items

Collection Code

EP001

Collection Name

Ephemera collection

Reference Code

EP001.03

Record Details

Material Type

visiting cards

Description Level

Series

Historical/Biographical Note

Historical/Biographical Note

Also known as visiting cards, the use of calling cards originated in Europe. American calling cards were often more elaborate than their British counterparts. They could be printed in color on cards in a variety of sizes, and employed many different typefaces, borders, and chromolithographed decorative designs. Calling cards were left with the servant who answered the door when no meeting took place between the mistress of the house and the caller. Leaving one's card was a simple gesture to indicate that a call had been made.

Source: Maurice Rickards, Encyclopedia of Ephemera.

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