19th century calling cards

In 19th-century America, 'escort cards' - not to be confused with the explicit sort you might imagine today - were handed to women by men who found them attractive.

In the 19th century, gentlemen used calling cards to formally introduce themselves to new acquaintances and to call upon friends and relatives in a dignified way. But there was another type of card used when a gentleman wanted to get the ball rolling with a lovely lady in a more casual way: the acquaintance card. According to The Encyclopedia of Ephemera, the acquaintance card was, “A novelty variant of the American calling card of the 1870s and 1880s,” and was “used by the less formal male…

In the 1800s, long before swiping right, there were escort cards: paper cards that men presented to women as an indication of their interest.

What follows is a brief history of the calling card and how men today can resurrect this tradition to create some stylish panache in their social interactions.

Without Facebook, online dating sites and lest we dare mention applications like Tinder, in the 19th century, single boys and girls had to be a little more inventive with their dating game. And thus, the American 'escort card' or 'invitation card' was introduced. It wasn't exactly used in high socie

Lonely this Valentine's Day? These 19th Century calling cards are guaranteed to score you a date.

Consider it the Victorian-era version of OKCupid

"Resting on right cheek: You are too willing."

In the olden days, creepy men would give "acquaintance cards" to women - Boing Boing

These fantastic introduction cards were used in the United States during the 1870s and 1880s. According to Alan Mays, who collects them, they were "used by the less formal male in approaches to the less formal female." We think of nineteenth-century courtship as being impossibly straight-laced and buttoned-down, and certainly a printed card inquiring

Visiting cards Visiting cards or calling cards were small rectangular pieces of card similar to a business card today. They were inscribed with a person’s name and often but not always with their address. An important part of Regency etiquette, visiting cards could be used for initiating contact wi

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A. C. Krider, Happy New Year, 1882 A Happy New Year, 1876, Henry M. Bloser A Happy New Year, 1876 A Happy New Year, 1879 Happy New Year! 20 for 10 Cents A Happy New Year, 1879 A Happy New Year, 1879 A Happy New Year, 1879 A Happy New Year, Card No. 12, 12 for 10c. A Happy New Year, 12 for 12 Cents A Happy New Year, Will D. Reiber A Happy New Year, Oscar C. Schloerb A Happy New Year, F. E. Grave Happy New Year, John Wanamaker, Grand Depot, Philadelphia, Pa. (via Alan Mays)

"Jennie R. Baker. My card and my compliments. Please give yours in exchange."

May I See You Home? 19th Century Calling Cards Guaranteed to Score You a Date | The Art of Manliness

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