Solar Tip Shoes—Strong, Beautiful, Everlasting

A colorful illustration from a nineteenth-century advertising trade card for Solar Tip Shoes, which were manufactured by John Mundell and Company, Philadelphia, Pa.

 

For other trade cards, see:

 

-- Solar Tip Shoes

-- Solar Tip Shoes Sold by John P. Twaddell

-- Solar Tip Shoes Manufactured by John Mundell and Company

 

Solar Tip Shoes

 

Strong. Beautiful. Everlasting.

 

Ain't they beautiful. I wear the Solar Tip Shoes.

 

Solar Tip. Trade Mark. The best sole leather tip made. Pat'd 1877 and February 19, 1878. J.M.&Co.

 

For sale by Harrison.

 

Loag, Eng. & Pr., Phila.

 

Text on the back of the card:

 

"Catch Not at the Shadow and Lose the Substance"

 

In every successful adventure there are always sure to be imitators, as surely as the "shadow" follows the "substance."

 

Thus, after Solar Tip Shoes became a success, their shadows, in the way of imitations, sprang up, and some dealers sell only these "shadows," and when asked for "Solar Tip Shoes," bring out a counterfeit, and try to sell them as the genuine, not daring to use the words "Solar Tip" except with the tongue. We do think this either fair or honest, for the shoes are inferior, and we feel it our duty to notify you not to be deceived into buying the shadow for the substance, and to protect you, we have placed a trade mark "Solar Tip" on the sole of every pair. Do not be deceived by any device, to "catch the shadow" and lose the "substance."

 

Made only by John Mundell & Co.

 

For sale by Harrison, 1847 to 1851 Ridge Ave. [Philadelphia, Pa.]

Done