• Steve Rotman Cards on eBay

• Steve Rotman Cards – NOT – on eBay / “Ethnic” cards

Currier and Ives, the renowned American printmaking firm, played a significant role in shaping popular visual culture in the 19th century. Founded by Nathaniel Currier in 1835, and later joined by James Merritt Ives in 1857, the company became famous for its colorful and affordable lithographs that depicted a wide range of subjects, from landscapes to historical events, and everyday life. One of the lesser-known aspects of Currier and Ives’ production was their creation of trade cards, which emerged as an important marketing tool in the late 19th century.

Trade cards were small, illustrated advertisements that businesses would distribute to promote their goods and services. By the 1870s, they had become a popular form of advertising in the U.S., coinciding with the rise of industrialization and mass production. Currier and Ives, known for their artistic flair and ability to capture the imagination of the public, began producing these cards, which often featured charming, highly detailed images accompanied by promotional messages for various companies.

C & I trade cards typically showcased the same artistic qualities that defined their larger prints—vivid colors, picturesque scenes, and an idealized view of American life. They were used to advertise a wide range of products, from patent medicines to household goods, and were designed to catch the eye and be easily collectible. Trade cards from Currier and Ives frequently included depictions of rural life, bustling cities, holidays, and humorous or sentimental themes, tapping into the nostalgic and aspirational sentiments of the time.

While Currier and Ives’ trade cards were commercially driven, they also served as a form of art for everyday people. Collecting these cards became a popular hobby, and they were often kept in albums or scrapbooks. Their intricate designs and wide circulation helped further popularize the Currier and Ives aesthetic, which was widely associated with a romanticized vision of 19th-century American life.

Though Currier and Ives closed in 1907, their trade cards, like their prints, remain valuable pieces of Americana. They offer a glimpse into the advertising practices and consumer culture of the late 19th century, while continuing to reflect the firm’s lasting influence on American visual history. Today, Currier and Ives trade cards are often highly sought after.  (AI)