Two more odd 1880s Trade Cards for Frank Pearsall, Brooklyn Photographer

Just when I thought the last set of Frank Pearsall trade cards was unusual, I acquire a c.1881 trade card illustrating a kid stealing a pig. The byline says: “The holidays are coming; make no delay in having your Pictures taken at the Old Established Gallery of G. Frank E. Pearsall.” Huh!? I’m puzzled. Is Pearsall suggesting that pigs are good to photograph during the holidays?

The second image is c.1880 and a bit more conventional. It too advertises photo-portraits for the holidays, but at least the illustration is pretty with a beautiful metallic gold colored background. As with the first posting, this card is also copyrighted by F. Todd.

The styles and subject matter couldn’t be more different ... then again, how are these illustrations (including my previous post of three odd caricatures trade cards) expected to bring people into a photo studio? Marketing must have been really different in the 1880s.

Okay ... I’m baffled yet humored by these colorful and lively trade cards.