Portrait of Mathew Stevenson

William Richardson

late 18th–early 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.

Artist

William Richardson

Date

late 18th–early 19th century

Medium

Engraving

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of Bella C. Landauer, 1926