Object of the Day: A Trade Card for Queen Anne Soap

From my rapidly expanding collection of Victorian trade cards, here’s another example from the “soap” family.  This one, like many American cards, has no printing on the reverse, however, the front image has been over-printed with:

USE DETROIT SOAP CO.’S

QUEEN ANNE SOAP

THE PUREST & BEST IN THE WORLD

The image shows a girl tracing the silhouette of a boy’s shadow on what I’m hoping is an exterior wall.  I’m not sure if this was a stock card that was selected by the Detroit Soap Co. or if the image was commissioned specifically for them.  Soap companies generally had lots of advertising cash to toss around, so it’s very likely that this image was made for them.

I had to do a little research on Queen Anne Soap.  It was a laundry soap (and possibly cleaning soap), but not meant for use on the body.  Therefore, the image of children getting dirty is particularly appropriate.  It’s quite a handsome card, and wholly American in style.  The figures lack the soft definition of English illustrations of the time and are bolder and more determined in that uniquely American way.