Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Nostalgia




Long before the advent of radio, television or the internet advertising took various forms. Broadsheets, newspapers and monthly periodicals all had classified advertising.

* from The Guardian June 27, 1857


In the 19th century it reached a new level when illustrations and colour were added.

Forms of chromolithography were used extensively and advertising cards came to life in vivid colour. These in turn were handed out as a promotion of a product. Much of this is what we think of today and collect in the form of trade cards.


Designed to cater to the public perception of purity, beauty and romance...the ones created for the female market advertised such trade names as Clark's thread, Pear's soap, Hawthorn's Root Beer...names reminiscent to the past still known today.


Available at flea markets, antique shops and Gramma's attic these little tokens make an interesting pastime.


I shall be off transcribing a journal from the 1860's for a local library. Having had the opportunity to read pages within it already, I too know they will be filled with nostalgia. Enjoy your January.

* Cards and newspaper all from my personal collection.

17 comments:

lorhen82 said...

Wow, your transcribing job sounds interesting. Good luck! Love the images!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

What a fun and interesting task you have ahead of you! I do so adore that frog atop the swan!!

Anonymous said...

Susan,

How exciting for you!! I love the vintage images. So old yet so familiar. I remember seeing ads similiar to yours when I would visit my Great Grandmother's house. I always thought the little girls in the picture were so sweet. I always wanted to be the one in the ad. HAHA

LiLi M. said...

I love your collection. And your job too!

Lori said...

what a gorgeous collection you have there...after hubby and i finished putting away the Christmas tree yesterday, we visited a local antique store...one of the things i was pouring over was their assortment of trade cards...how funny is that, i had never looked at them before and now here you are doing a post about them...i should have bought some, they were lovely!!!

Doreen Frost said...

Good morning Susan. These card are all so very lovely and thank you for the walk down advertising memory lane, I truly enjoyed it :)

Let us know how your transcribing turns out.

Hugs,
Doreen

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Those cards are the sweetest cards Susan...and how very very special for you to be able to do that transcribing!!! I would love to know how the transcribing works out...and especially from the 1860's...just an awesome job...Happy Days to you, Dzintra XX

abcd said...

What beautiful cards, I like the swan and frog best too.
Fell is an old Norse word used in the north of England to describe a hill or mountain. We have quite a few words left behind by the vikings!
Hope you really enjoy your fascinating transcribing job.

Lea said...

Have a wonderful January dear Susan! My favorite of the images is the frog on the goose... I love thinking that someone's writing will be cherished and remembered... XO

BumbleVee said...

beautiful vintage collection.... I love the serene look on the faces...

Annabelle said...

What a dreamy job you have.Thanks for sharing in some of your nostalgic adventures with us.I always enjoy travelling to the past.

Hugs Annabelle

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan:
You do so much and know so much. I remember the post on cataloging you did long time ago (an estate I think); the photos you posted were so beautiful./ I agree with Lea that the frog and goose trading card is my favorite : )
I am taking art classes; today I learned to create a "Links of Love" bracelet by artist Kristen Robinson. It was thoroughly fun!!!
Come look at the pics when you have time.
Peace
carole

Anonymous said...

How incredible! I love the collection you shared, Susan... aren't the colors saturated and wonderful? Amazing that the printers and engravers were working with dimmed light, more time consuming equipment, less advanced inks, and yet their work has stood not only the test of time but compared to today's print work they are so much better...
What greater compliment than to have your treasures, a hundred years ago made, flashed around the world on the internet.... wouldn't the creators of the cards be SO amazed?!

Sea Angels said...

These are so very beautiful..especially when compared to some of our horrid advertising today...if you ever need help clearing out your cupboards Susan...just say...I could pop over and help ...no trouble ha ha.
Hugs Lynn xx

Fete et Fleur said...

What beautiful cards! I hope you get to share some of your journal transcription with us.

Nancy

Primchick said...

Ooo... I know can't wait to go, have lost count of how many CL fairs I've been too... jut love 'em..
What a lovely job title you have is it as nice as it sounds..?

The Victorian Parlor said...

These are gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing!