Object of the Day: A Trade Card for Pianos and Organs

Click Image to Enlarge

In my growing collection of antique ephemera, I have several trade cards which are printed in monochromatic ink on a metallic ink background. The metallic backgrounds create a sense of motion in these scenes which usually involve children involved in sporting pursuits. For example, this American card printed in blue and silver shows a young man attempting the high vault. Sadly, his pole has snapped in half. I’m sure death is nigh.

So, this must be an advertisement for medicine or some sort of invigorating sarsaparilla. Yes? No. It’s an advertisement for pianos. Once again, this was a stock card which was selected by the business owner because he or she knew it would be the sort of thing which would be collectible and would end up bringing news of their concern into people’s homes.

Let’s take a look at the reverse.

It’s printed upside down. I don’t think that was intentional. It’s also oddly aggressive for a piano ad.

It reads: 

We are selling PIANOS and ORGANS 

At just Ten Dollars advance on the Whole- 

sale Prices. 

-<<<<<---->---->.-.<----<---->>>>>-

WE WISH IT POSITIVELY UNDER- 

STOOD THAT WE KEEP NO AGENTS. 

-------------------------

We sell an ORGAN for 50 Dollars as good 

as any other Dealer that employs Agents 

can Sell at 75 Dollars. 

-------------------------------

WE SELL A BETTER PIANO FOR $250 THAN 

AGENTS AND DEALERS WHO EMPLOY THEM, 

CAN SELL FOR $350. 

WE HAVE CONTRACTED TO SELL 3,000 PIANOS 

AND ORGANS IN ONE YEAR. AND WILL SELL 

To ALL at Wholesale Prices. 

-------------------------- 

Look to your interest and send for our 

WHOLESALE PRICE LIST before pur- 

chasing. 

NEW YORK MUSIC COMPANY 

524 GENESEE AVENUE 

          EAST SAGINAW , MICH. 

                                DEPEW. Manager.