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| Click on image to be scandalized. |
One might think that this comic trade card is advertising the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893—The World’s Columbian Exposition. But, nope. It’s not. The card actually advertises a Wisconsin shop of the same era which called itself “Chicago Fair” in order to capitalize on all the press the exposition was getting and to make their wares sound more glamorous. This stock trade card also makes use of imagery of new contemporary technology—the telephone—for that extra feeling of excitement.
The card’s front shows a split-scene of a man and a pinched-face spinster—each at their respective telephones.
It reads:
Fond Dad: Darling How-s Baby? Bless Her
Dear Little Tutsy-Putsy
Maiden Lady: Good Gracious!
And the punch-line?
THEY RUNG HIM UP THE WRONG NUMBER
Ha! See, she was scandalized by his filthy, filthy, dirty, nasty talk. The cad! Ain’t technology scary?
And, then, in red script…
Chicago Fair
What’s sold at Chicago Fair? Corny dogs? Prize pigs? Pies? Fried butter?
Nah.
FOR
GREAT BARGAINS
IN
Dry Goods, Fancy Goods,
CARPETS,
Tinware, Glassware,
Crockery,
and all kinds of Notions,
GO TO
THE CHICAGO FAIR
I. GORDON, Prop.
NORTH MAIN ST., near 1st Nat’l Bank
FORT ATKINSON, WIS.
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