Object of the Day: Another Trade Card for Pianos

This is one of several Victorian trade cards that I have from this same thuggish supplier of pianos and organs. We’ve already looked at one other. These are all in the very 1880s fashion of monochromatic images on metallic ink which often depict chubby tots engaged in sporting activities, and, very often, in the process of being gravely injured.

Let’s take a look at this work of blue on a gold background. Called “Bucked,” it is dated to 1881. What’s happening here? Well, it’s a typical, bright, sunny, gilt-sky day. You know…just the sort of thing you’d see anywhere in the world in 1881. Everything seems normal. A child with a large posterior is riding a bicycle. He (or possibly she) is, for some reason, dressed like a page with a wee, stylish pillbox hat. Princess Diana would have worn it in 1981. He’s hit a rock with is front tire and is being propelled over the handle bars. No doubt, he wall fall into the thorny shrubbery which lines the fence. His injuries will be too severe for 1881 medicine. His physician will prescribe him sarsaparilla—taken orally as well as rubbed on his wounds. Death is unavoidable. Buy some pianos.

The reverse bears the same heavy-handed, slightly ominous copy with which this card’s brother has been printed. “Maybe you buy some pianos. Maybe this whole thing goes away. Maybe you add an organ. Maybe the kid doesn’t need to die. You get me?”

We are selling PIANOS and ORGANS 

At just Ten Dollars advance on the Whole- 

sale Prices. 

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WE WISH IT POSITIVELY UNDER- 

STOOD THAT WE KEEP NO AGENTS. 

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We sell an ORGAN for 50 Dollars as good 

as any other Dealer that employs Agents 

can Sell at 75 Dollars. 

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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. 

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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.