1848-1872 1873-1897 1898-1913 1914-1945 1946-1990 1991-2008
Businessman’s Cards
1897
In 1897 postal regulations allowed for new larger sized postcards for the mailing of advertising. These cards were manufactured in three basic sizes. One was only slightly larger than the average sized card of the day and was occasionally die cut into shapes. The more common size for a Businessman’s card was about 8 by 10 inches. Many times they contained nothing but text but elaborate graphics and illustration were also used on them. There was also a larger jumbo size available. The Businessman’s card became the forerunners of novelty cards, for in addition to being die cut many had three dimensional objects glued to them and mechanical parts that let them move. It provided a way to compete with ads found in the new ten-cent magazines flooding the market. Many of these cards were given out by hand or sent within covers as their odd shapes and parts made them difficult to mail without getting damaged. Without the need to be addressed they could have printing placed on both sides. Even so many of these cards can be found today with canceled postmarks on them. It became very popular to use these large cards to create store window displays.
Use the link below for a more compleate history of this period.