Henry Sturtz's last name is misspelled here as "Sturty."

A nineteenth-century New Year calling card sample.

"Happy New Year! New Year. 20 for 10 cents."

"A Happy New Year. 1878. 1879. Compliments of Jas. McCambridge."

A Victorian-era calling card with an elaborate background pattern.

A nineteenth-century sentiment card. See the American Antiquarian Society's description of Calling and Sentiment Cards.

A blight may come upon thy name,

And want and suffering dim thine eye,

But thou wilt find me still the same,

For love like mine can never die.

W. B. Farrah

A late nineteenth-century calling card.

Typeface: Treasury Open ("William Bingham").

A Victorian-era New Year calling card with an unusual rhomboid shape. Cards like this typically have just one name, and I'm not sure why this one lists the names of five individuals.

Typefaces: Initials from Italian Black with capitals from a wide Celtic ("Happy New Year"); Venetian (names).

Thanks go to Florian Hardwig for identifying these typefaces over on Fonts in Use.

A Happy New Year, 1879.

Lee Halliburton, H. B. Smith,

P. S. Dinsmore, M. H. Beebe,

O. J. Hill.

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A Victorian-era calling card for Emma B. Sturtz (1877-1966), ca. 1890-1895.

Typeface: Treasury Open ("Emma B. Sturtz").

Originally posted on Ipernity: M. Th. Wallin.

"M. Th. Wallin. Axel Rydin Fotograf, Norrköping."

A nineteenth-century calling card for M. Th. Wallin by photographer Axel Rydin of Norrköping, Sweden.

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A late nineteenth-century acquaintance card with an illustration of a "noble youth, so lean and wan."

This noble youth, so lean and wan,

Was once as proud as any man;

His generous heart, so full of glee,

Is smashed--and full of misery.

He bought her candy, nuts, and clothes,

Took her to all the circus shows;

He suffers much, tell why, who can?

She ran away with another man.

Rev. Aaron S. Baumgardner (1852-1916) was an Evangelical Association minister who served congregations in Maryland and Pennsylvania during his lifetime.

One of five John S. Kriebel calling cards--two photographic cards (John S. Kriebel and J. S. K.) and three chromolithographed cards (John S. Kriebel, John S. Kriebel, Only Thee, and John S. Kriebel, A Token of Love).

See also John S. Kriebel, Only Thee (Detail) , which shows the embellishments on the uppercase letters of the name, including a fish at the bottom of the S and a bird on the K. The typeface is MacKellar, Smiths & Jordan's Spencerian Script with ornamented capitals.

Sample sheet showing the variety of calling cards, rewards of merit, and other printed items available in 1886 from the Connecticut Steam Card Works, Hartford, Conn.

--------

For the front of this sample sheet, see the following:

   entire sample sheet

   part 1, top left

   part 2, bottom left

   part 3, top middle

   part 4, bottom middle

   part 5, top right

   part 6, bottom right (above)

See also Explanation of Hidden Name Calling Cards for an excerpt from the reverse side of this sample sheet.

"At rest, near Zion, Centre County, Pa., on Monday noon, October 6th, 1884, Mary E. Friedel, aged 17 years, 8 months, and 5 days."

One of five John S. Kriebel calling cards--two photographic cards (John S. Kriebel and J. S. K.) and three chromolithographed cards (John S. Kriebel, John S. Kriebel, Only Thee, and John S. Kriebel, A Token of Love).

See also John S. Kriebel, Only Thee (Detail) , which shows the embellishments on the uppercase letters of the name, including a fish at the bottom of the S and a bird on the K. The typeface is MacKellar, Smiths & Jordan's Spencerian Script with ornamented capitals.

"George E. Lawton, Tancred Commandery, No. 48, K.T., Pittsburgh, Pa., 1877."

For another calling card from a member of the Tancred Commandery, No. 48, Knights Templar, see George T. Oliver, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Henry Q. Hinckle, Philadelphia, Pa. Perkins Lodge No. 402. Oriental Chapter No. 383. Mary Commandery No. 36. In hoc signo vinces.

A late nineteenth-century calling card for Henry Grant Burns (1863-1929), who was a railway conductor in Hyndman, Pennsylvania. His brother, D. L. Burns, was also a railway conductor.

Typeface: Treasury Open ("Harry G. Burns").

Three Geisha in a teahouse, the Geisha on the left is filling her pipe from a tobacco pouch.

This carte de visite is marked “Stillfried & Andersen, Yokohama”, which dates it to between 1875 and 1884, although Stillfried had left the partnership by 1878. It has a very painterly composition, so it is no surprise to find that Stillfried was a painter amongst his many and varied careers.

This is an acquaintance card that dates to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century.

For another card that uses the same illustration and red border, see May I C U Home This Eve? (Sample).

Will you allow me [the] Pleasure of your sweet Acquaintance?

Miss ________

Yours Truly. Please Answer.

Franz W. Olson

"Oh! forget me not, recall the days of yore. Those days I've ne'er forgot, I love thee more and more."

A Victorian-era calling card with an illustration of a sailing ship and sunset.

"Compliments of A. D. Harding, artistic photographer, 42 Main St., Susquehanna, Penn'a. Satisfaction guaranteed."

For a delightful collection of similar cards with photos, see Photo_History's set of Calling Cards, Business Cards, and ID Cards.

See also calling cards for General Logan and General Sherman.

"Gen. Hancock. With fond greetings."

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Howard C. Rice (1889-1963) created this elaborate card to advertise his services and demonstrate his skills as a penman and engrosser. Rice's obituary summarized his education and work: "He was graduated from Easton High School and Zanerian Art College, Columbus, Ohio. He was employed as a commercial artist for 42 years by the New England Mutual Life Insurance Boston, Mass." (Morning Call, Allentown, Pa., February 15, 1963, p. 14).

Compare this card with one for T. P. Lint, Penman.

Howard C. Rice

Penman. Engrosser.

Easton, Penna. 1912

"Copyrighted 1879, Bufford, Boston."

"Wm. R. Hill, Conductor G.T.R. (Central Div.), Toronto Div., No. 17, Toronto, Ont. Order of Railway Conductors."

A Victorian-era calling card.

"Come to me, my darling. Whene'er I need a friend. I know that thou art faithful, And will be to the end."

A Victorian-era calling card with an illustration of a lighthouse.

A German calling card.

A Victorian-era calling card illustrated with a horseshoe and flower.

One of five John S. Kriebel calling cards--two photographic cards (John S. Kriebel and J. S. K.) and three chromolithographed cards (John S. Kriebel, John S. Kriebel, Only Thee, and John S. Kriebel, A Token of Love).

See also John S. Kriebel, Only Thee (Detail) , which shows the embellishments on the uppercase letters of the name, including a fish at the bottom of the S and a bird on the K. The typeface is MacKellar, Smiths & Jordan's Spencerian Script with ornamented capitals.

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A unique combination of a business card on one side and an acquaintance card on the other.

For another two-sided example, see Acquaintance Compliments with Confidence and Respect, which has a name—like a calling card—on one side and the text of an acquaintance card on the other.

For information regarding my book of detachable acquaintance cards, see my Flickr profile page. For more cards, see my Flickr album of Acquaintance Cards.

O. M. Dolley Livery

Both 'phones. Horses and carriages furnished for business or pleasure at reasonable rates. 21 Water Street, Auburn, N.Y. Typographical Union Label, Auburn.

Let's Get Acquainted

Capital, 10 millions in my dreams. Not married, 1906. Kind regards to friends and knockers. Out for a good time.

"A Happy New Year. Will D. Reiber."

Initials on mailbag and wagon: "U.S.M. [United States Mail]."

William D. Reiber (1860-1933) served as a letter carrier in Brooklyn, New York, from 1882 until his retirement in 1924 (as mentioned in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Aug. 7, 1924, p. 18).

"G. E. Waite, Corporal, Co. B, F.L.I Regiment, Providence, R.I."

G. E. Waite, Corporal, Company B, First Light Infantry Regiment, Providence, Rhode Island.

I bought this calling card along with a Battle of Rhode Island Centennial Ticket, August 29, 1878.

A Victorian-era calling card that likely belonged to Claurdean Lillie (1818-1899), who lived in Corry, Pennsylvania.

In the illustration on the left, a sailboat seems to be headed toward a waterfall or over the side of a dam.

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"J. P. Wilbar, Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, stationed at Harrisburg, West Fairview, Cumberland Co., Pa. In hoc signo vinces. Scheffer, printer."

Probaby Henry Heckerman Stuby (1854-1936), with the last name on the calling card misspelled as Steuby.

"Mrs. F. T. Wiltshire."

A Victorian-era calling card.