Trade Card

A "Trade Card" could be compared to a "business card" used today.
They first became popular at the end of the 17th century and they functioned as advertising and maps directing the public to merchants place of business.
In the 19th century, some businesses began to create increasingly sophisticated designs, especially with the development of color printing. A few companies specialized in producing stock cards, usually with an image on one side and space on the other side for the business to add its own information.
The few Trade Cards that I have are related to the 'pocket watch" industry advertising different brands of pocket watch cases.
This first one is advertising, The Crown Filled Case, manufactured by H. Muhr's Sons, Manufactures, in Philadelphia and titled, A Case Of Love In A Lovely Case. The jeweler distributing this particular card was E. E. Joy, Dealer In Watches And Jewelry on the corner of Main & State Streets in Ellsworth, ME.
This Trade Card is circa late 1880's and the back of the card describes the "Crown" case.
Thanks for stopping by,
Dave
Added photo of H. Muhr's Sons