ABOUT VICTORIAN CALLING CARDS...
          The custom of carrying calling cards began in France in the early 1800's.  It quickly spread throughout Europe, and then became vastly popular in the United States. Calling cards were carried by the "well-to-do" ladies who made a point to "go calling" on friends and family on a specified day of the week or month, depending on their location and proximity to neighbors.  They are also known as "visiting cards."   Each is different and all are beautiful. 

There were hundreds of thousands of cards printed from 1800 through the 1890's and styles changed from hand-penned cards to simple print, then hidden name, and even tiny envelope insert cards. The cards above are all 'hidden name' calling cards, meaning that the individual who carried the card had their name printed on the white card and then covered by what is called a decorative victorian "scrap," which is attached to the card on the left side.  The receiver would lift the scrap to see the visitors name underneath.  Hands, roses, and doves are depicted in rich vibrant colors.   These are over 100 years old. 

As described above, these cards were left at each persons home the
individual went to visit, whether they were home or not.  The person visiting would leave their "calling card" in a specific "card receiver" which was set on an entry table or  "parlor center table."  Sometimes the visitor would leave the card with a servant so that the homeowner would know they stopped by.

In the Victorian day, the design, style, and even color border of a card actually carried a meaning to the receiver.  A folded top left corner meant the visitor had come in person; an unfolded card meant a servant was sent.  A folded right top corner meant congratulations, and the lower right fold expressed sympathy.  Still some had a black band around the edge to signify the carrier was in mourning over the loss of a loved one.  The earliest cards have fancy scrollwork and were hand embellished by a professional calligrapher, one card at a time.

All Victorian cards have maintained such rich vibrant colors!

Hearts, doves, scrolls, and forget-me-nots were common to find on the Victorian calling cards that were made in such a way that the colors are richer than any seen printed on modern day greetings.  It was a difficult and time consuming process called "chromolithography" that required one color at a time be printed, held to dry, then the next color was applied.  That process eventually became too time consuming and was automated, losing much quality.   These are actually a piece of history and are truly a lost art.

Traveling salesmen could make a nice living selling these calling cards alone.  A packet of  cards could be bought for a dollar or so, depending on the design.  The edge of the card is as decorative as the rest.  Edges were gilded, pierced, fancy razor cut, and scalloped.

Calling card receivers (trays) were set out on marble top entry tables.  The trays were usually silver or silver plate and had a rich, ornate design.  Cards were carried in a variety of finely crafted cases made of sterling, mother of pearl, tortoiseshell, velvet, ivory, and more.  

In the day of genteel manners and formal introductions, the exchange of calling cards was a social custom that was essential in developing friendships.

With the development of early penny post cards around the turn-of-the century, visiting became less common and the postcard era began.   These wonderful cards are getting harder and  harder to find every day.   All cards are approximately 4" by 2 1/2"

MORE CALLING CARDS AND EPHEMERA

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