Calling card, circa 1880s – 1900

Price:  $7.00             Size:  About 2 and 1/4 x 3 and 1/4″

Calling card for G. Meachum in the millinery business, who was located on Main St. in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. As of the date of this post, a record of G. Meachum has not been located in online sources, though there is a reference found for a Mrs. M. H. Hackings, millinery on Main St. in the same city.

This calling card shows the oft-used (but lovely) image of a hand and flowers. In this card the flowers offered are forget-me-nots, and part of the sleeve is visible, a blousy sleeve gathered at the wrist with a studded gold band, with the offer-er wearing a gold and blue ring on the little finger.  Does this remind you, too of an old arcade fortune-teller gypsy? Estimating the date of the card is maybe from the late 1800s.

Source:  Polk’s Michigan State Gazeteer and Business Directory for 1875. R. L. Polk & Co., Compilers. The Tribune Printing Co., Detroit, 1875. Page 339. (Google eBooks)