Good Tidings
This cheerful trade card features a scene of a family at Christmastime. Two children, dressed in their holiday finery, seek the attention of their grandfather while he leisurely reads the newspaper. The little girl holds a sprig of stylized mistletoe above the grandfather’s head, while her brother appears to narrowly avoid his sister’s attempt at receiving a peck on the cheek. The semicircular image is flanked by two classically style heads and vases; one with sprigs of holly and plump berries and the other with colorful flowers.
This charming holiday image is one of a set, with other cards focusing on scenes from different seasons. A family relaxes around a fireplace in the card for Autumn, while a young couple enjoy a quiet moment together in a meadow in the Spring card. Every scene evokes a sense of familiarity and happiness; viewers can relate to cozy nights spent with loved ones or warm weather days spent frolicking in the sun.
Of course, the hope was that the viewer would then familiarize themselves with the business being advertised!
For Brown & Dodge, who retailed boots and shoes, their choice in this trade card was well planned. Two pairs of shoes are clearly pictured: the little girl’s fashionable calf-high boots and the grandfather’s bright red slippers. Such fashion-forward footwear would likely have been available at Brown & Dodge, who were in business for nearly 20 years.
Whether enticed by jovial scenes or the latest fashions, people were sure to have enjoyed collecting this card from their local store!