Visiting cards through the ages reveal social art and history
A survey of historic visiting cards traces their origin in printed backs and waxed tales to 153 years of use. From duchesses and clergymen to Byron era homes and Roman landmarks, cards bore engravings, motifs, and symbols reflecting status, travel, and family ties across centuries.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington Post
Holle Street
Cavendish Square
Lord Byron
Italy
Albans
Bolton
Grafton
Horace Walpole
Rome
Ischia
Rape
Arch of Titus
St. Peter's
Castle of St. Angelo
Duchess of Leeds
Cus
Oa Framewerk
Cn Hese
Old Time New Year Customs in the Central West
The article recalls 19th century New Year observances in rural central west regions. It describes "setting up" rather than calls and greetings, superstitions of cows kneeling at midnight, and the evolution from watch night religious rites to secular and social days. It notes racial adaptations, Scottish and Dutch roots, and the shift in New York City from calling to English-style holidays.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Central West
United States
Ohio
South
Egypt
Scotland
Kentucky
Indiana
Maryland
Illinois
Missouri
Battery
New York
Myuheer and Vrouw
Newey Amsterdam
New Amsterdam
Broadway
Astor House
Union, Square
Fifth Avenue Hotel
Fifth Avenue
Murray Hill
Secret of Long Life Promise by Local Druggists
A late 19th century reminiscence promotes longevity through healthy organs and digestion. The note, guaranteed by J. J. McCarty & Son druggists, mentions liver purification and strong appetites as keys, while citing nervous health and digestion as essential factors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
J. J. McCarty & Son
New Year Superstitions From Lincolnshire Traditions
A New Orleans Pleaureune report recounts Lincolnshire folk beliefs on New Year’s night and day. It warns that women entering first, throwing out water or ashes, or sweeping from door to hearth portend death, birth, or misfortune. A morning fire and ash spread at the threshold are noted customs. A footmark toward or away from the house signals fate for the year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lincolnshire
England
New Orleans
A Cuban Convict's New Year Tale of Island Escape
A serialized memoir recounts a Cuban convict’s exile to the Isle of Pices after Weyler’s crackdown. In a cave on Crystal hill, Olivia, Carmela, and the narrator face searches by Don Amato while planning a dangerous escape by sea. A ship sighting ends tragically as Olivia drowns during a shark-filled voyage.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
The
Patriot
Havana
Weyler
Batabano
Isle of Pices
Ceuta
Crystal Hill
Olivia
San Cristobal
Don Amato
Naise
Pricid
Olivi
Ash
Don Amadeo
J Insurance
Asa
fLiogre
Enair
Lerfie
AKON
Neon
Olivia Flan
Sears Cift
Muisis
Tog News
New Year Advice For Women And Paris Festivities
A column offers New Year guidance for women emphasizing reading, virtue, matrimony, and frugality with quotes from Mrs. Russell Sage. It also notes Paris New Year customs in Rue des Lombards where confectioners stock wagons with bonbons and jewelry sales surge, shaping a festive day of visits and gifts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Paris
Rue Des Lombards
Looking Backward Poem Reflection on the Year
The poem laments the passing year and lost moments while contrasting nature’s steady cycles with human regret. The speaker sits alone in Cincinnati, reflecting on deeds and consequences as another year begins.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
E. L. Aultman
Cincinasti Enquirer
Bucklen Arnica Salve Promises Quick Healing
A vintage advertisement touts Bucklen's Arnica Salve as a daily comfort maker for burns cuts ulcers fever sores eruptions and skin complaints. The product claims to seal wounds remove corns warts and relieve salt rheum roils and felons with a best pile cure. Sold for two cents at J H McCarth and Son's drug store.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bucklen
J. H McCarth & Son
Calls for Proliferation of Local Businesses
A long critique urges opening more outfits in town including livery stables, groceries, jewelry shops, restaurants, bakeries, furniture stores, creameries, laundries, dry goods, meat markets, drug stores, harness shops, planning coins, undertakings, millinery, blacksmiths, hotels, banks, post office branches, and newspapers while warning against competition that would harm existing thriving enterprises. The piece favors growth but laments overcapacity and urges wise, selective expansion.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ben J. F. Miller
North Side
Public Square
Rushville
Cartuage, Ind
A Martin JP Magee Jael Watson
IR. Kay
LB. J. Kay
Saratoga
N. R
J. B. Schrighte
Rushville. Ind
Ghadwick
Poentist
Heney
Meat Market
Kay
J Kay
F. G. Hackleman
Roshville, Ind
Johnson
Louis C. Lambert
Attorney-T-Law
Rush County
Rush County Bank
Mnd
J. A. Sipe
Carthage
Ind
Johnson Bros Block
Main and
Mill Streets
Kays
Carthage Building Loan
Eee
Jesse Rewley
George W Osborne
Lestravce
FRICE
Young & Young Atomeys
Zaris Sextos
Wiz M. Spans Sexton & Sparks
Attorneys AT Law
Wilson's Clothing
CAE
Lee
C. A. Snow & CO
U.S
Srna Tay Railway
Eella
Stes
Milwaukee
Edeter O. H. Downey
Churumseo
J. H. McCarty & Son
F. A. Obes
Man Fates
Carmela
Murmaries
Iss
Bi Bop
Yoksem
Bude Chucck
Russell Sage
New York Journal
New Century Comfort
East St. Louis, Ill
R. Ray Johnson
Directos
Ananias
Stephens
Kirkwood
Stager
Barkin
C. ’ Jones
Frank Gipson
Weaver
Frank Manson
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!