Trade Card. Circa 1881. Paris Card Co., Boston, MA

Price:  $25.00         Size:  About 2 and 3/4 x 4 and 1/2″

Here’s another in what we call our  “Breakthrough”  category, and like the last post, it’s a trade card from Boston. We’ll describe the person that does the “breaking through” as a smiling, Regency Era gentleman with long sideburns, bushy eyebrows, light-colored trousers and waistcoat, and dark cutaway (?) coat, watch hanging from fob, cuffed boots and a low-crown hat with curly brim. To his left and sitting just slightly behind him is his little dog. In contrast to the man, the dog gazes directly at us – a smart idea by the artist. Note the shadows for both figures, as well. The card indicates:

“Paris Card Co. P. O. Box 2627, Boston,  :  Mass.”

The only year we’ve found for this company is 1881. Below is an ad that ran in both Peterson’s Ladies National Magazine and the American Agriculturist  for that year. Also, at the moment of putting up this post, no other trade cards for this company were found online.

Source:  Peterson’s Ladies National Magazine, Vol. 79. 1881. (Google eBook)