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Travers Brothers : Original Trade Card - "Twines of Every Description; Travers Brothers, Twine Warehouse, 107 Duane St., New York"

Mayer, Merkel & Ottmann, New York

Original trade card with a color illustration of three boys making twine. The back also features a black-and-white illustration rendered in fine detail showing a woman resting on a hammock. The back advertises the company's hammock attachments, a pillow and pair of spreaders to keep the hammock open. No date, circa 1880-1885. 5 1/4" x 3 1/4." Trade card is very clean and intact except for age toning and a few light marks on back. A Very Good copy. Trade card for the Travers Brothers in New York. Printer's information on front: "Mayer, Merkel & Ottmann, Lith N.Y." Mayer, Merkel & Ottmann was founded in 1869 as a lithography and publishing firm by two of its members, Vincent Mayer and August Merkel. Jacob Ottmann later joined in 1874, and the company was renamed, "Mayer, Merkel & Ottmann." Their specialty was trade cards printed in color. Mayer and Merkel retired in 1885, but Ottmann continued the business as "J. Ottmann Lithographic" until his passing in 1890. The business was then handed down to Ottmann's son, William, who, in turn, gave the business to Frank A. Bloom. After Bloom's passing in 1901, the company was acquired by the United States Printing and Lithographing Company. Trade cards were antique business cards that first became popular during the late seventeenth century in Paris and Lyon, France and London, England. Trade cards were often given by business owners and proprietors to patrons and customers as a way to promote their businesses. Prior to the use of street addresses, trade cards had maps so clients could locate the associated business. Many of these cards also incorporated elaborate designs, illustrations, and other decorative features. Trade cards became popular in the United States during the nineteenth century in the period after the Civil War. The late nineteenth century also saw the advent of trade card collecting as a hobby. While they are no longer in use, trade cards influenced the formation of trading cards and were the predecessors of modern-day business cards.. Ephemera. Book Condition: Collectible-Very Good. Binding: No Binding

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