The Calling Card

I was prompted to write about Calling Cards because I recently had Business Cards printed for my Catering Business.

Cards, whether 'calling' or 'business' are a reflection of our personality, our life, our interests, or business. It is well known that this was the Victorian way of communication and announcement.

Calling cards first appeared in Europe in the 17th century. Calling cards spread rapidly and became very popular in the United States as well. They were an indispensable tool of etiquette, especially with upper-class society.

Servants of the upper class would deliver the cards to the servants of the homes of the prospective hosts to announce their arrival. Or if the Lady would be in a carriage and the footman would deliver the card to the door.

The calling cards would be place in a tray or dish that was displayed on a table in the foyer. The trays were usually silver or silver plate with an ornate design. If silver was unattainable a lovely dish was used.

The cards were carried in a variety of crafted cases or small purses made of silver, sterling, tortoiseshell, mother of pearl, inlayed precious materials, etc.

Rule of the day commanded that no one would visit unless invited or introduced without first leaving a calling card. After a card was delivered, one would wait on a return card of invitation. However if no card was returned it was understood that a visit would be unwelcome.

Thousands of cards were printed in the 1800�s. They progressed from hand written cards to elaborate die-cut embossed cards. Many cards had a �secret place� where the name of the caller was covered by a Victorian scrap and had to be lifted to see who the caller was.

We will find some cards with the top left corner folded down. This indicated that the caller came in person to deliver the card.

Calling cards were also used to work ones way up the social ladder if you will. Someone of less means would deliver a card in hopes of being received. If accepted, this was one way for one to move up the social ladder.

I think it�s great that we do not have to go through all the pomp & circumstance, but it would be nice if everyone had a calling card with their personnel information on it to hand out to others they want to share it with.

I prefer the Victorian style myself!

Many of these beautiful cards found their way into Victorian Scrapbooks which are collected today. They are pieces of art!

Today we use Business cards as a form of a Calling card, giving vital information such as: name, phone number, address, purpose.

Business cards also had their place in that era. They too were also elaborate in design.

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