At Random

updated 5 October 2018

At Random:

a variety of trade cards for your enjoyment

Here's an isolation from another trade card for Miller & Hutchinson that is in the public domain. Apparently the store may have changed hands and moved nearby at least once.

Were we talking about dogs? Evidently, their popularity sells all sorts of merchandise:

The Stickney & Poors "doghouse" has been tricked out, renovated and spruced up over the years, though traces of its former location remain. Here's a view of the block from Google (2017):

I see I may have to add a page just for Merrick's. Here are some more Merrick trade cards:

"First Snow"
An 1889 calendar appeared on the back.
The next two cards had similar calendars.

"E.N. MERRIAM, MUSIC, Sewing Machine, Art, Needlework
and Linen Store, 15 Merchants Row, Rutland VT"

The Audience

(still researching; C.H. Kezar may have been a Civil War veteran.)

A&P invites you in from the cold for a hot cup of coffee or tea!

 If A&P doesn't suit you, perhaps Arbuckle would be an improvement:

"Buy the Anchor Boot"

Back of the card above. 

YouTube demo of an antique Wirt pen. (~5 min.)
The Paul E. Wirt pen dominated the fountain pen market in the late 19th century.

"The Nap"

Reverse of above card

France & Hershey no longer exists. The entire block vanished.
This post and another like it now guard the entrance to East Tuscarawas Street.
(Google Street View, June 2011)

The nearest late 19th century business still around in 2016 in Canton OH appears to be the Geo. D. Harter Bank, est. 1866 (see also, "The Monday After: Harter family played important role in the banking history of Canton"):

Canton reflections
This is a Google Street View derivation.
Click the link above for the original.

copyright 1887 by Benjamin T. Babbitt
printed by Armstrong & Co. Lithographers 

Benjamin T. Babbitt made a fortune selling soap. Wheelwright, machinist & file maker, he also invented one of the first mowing machines made in America and pursued an interest in chemistry. According to Wikipedia, "In 1851, he became the first to manufacture and market soap in individual bars, which he packaged attractively and added a claim of quality. He took the ordinary and proved it could be turned into a marketable product. He, along with others like him, helped change American merchandising."

View of B.T. Babbitt's "best soap" factory buildings, West St., New York City] / J.A. Shearman
(from the Library of Congress)

A Google Image search reveals a large number of Babbitt Soap trade card images on the internet.

What kind of a business would feature an anvil in their advertising?
Perhaps a blacksmith?
Here's your answer:

Although the majority of trade cards depict life's happy moments, some took a different approach to sales. Stickney & Poor's Mustards dared to associate their brand with the misfortune portrayed below:

"Detroit Soap Co. QUEEN ANNE SOAP, The best family soap in the world"

Lots of weather we're having, aren't we!

Hard to believe advertisers thought folks had time to read all this!

There was a good deal of competition in the coffee industry of the late 19th century. That's fortunate for us trade card fans, as colorful cards were usually enclosed in each package of coffee sold. For 25 Jersey Coffee Wrappers, a large water color suitable for framing would be sent to your home.

In 2016, all you need do is download the image and print it off, which you are encouraged to do on this site as all trade cards are in the public domain. A little beauty for you without charge!

Despite these endorsements, corsets never became so popular that 19th century men found them to be an indispensable accessory.

 This card displays what is most likely a printer's as opposed to the artist's mark: