Trade card for John Dower, geographical engraver and draughtsman

Anonymous, British, 19th century

19th century · Engraving · Drawings and Prints

This object is housed in an album of British trade cards from the collections of Bella C. Landauer, Ambrose Heal, and others. The term “trade card” is of nineteenth-century origin and refers to a card that advertises the services of an individual or business. Eighteenth-century trade cards were often printed on thin sheets of paper and referred to as “tradesmen’s cards,” “tradesmen’s bills,” or “shopkeeper’s bills.” During the Victorian era, trade cards were often reinforced on pasteboard and closely resemble business cards today. John Dower was listed as a fellow for The Royal Geographical Society. Dower was sponsored by Trelawny Saunders, John Walker Jr., and A. Petermann and he was elected to the society on January 9, 1854.

Artist

Anonymous, British, 19th century

Date

19th century

Medium

Engraving

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of Bella C. Landauer, 1926