Lot of nearly 80 trade cards. 19 French cards; the balance of the collection are US cards. Beautiful and fanciful color lithos promoting various products from the late 19th century. Smallest 2 1/2" x 1 1/2", largest 9" x 3 3/4". Note: US trade cards began appearing after the Civil War as a way for manufacturers tp market their goods and services to the American public. These small pasteboard cards were colorfully printed, fueled by technological advances in color lithography. Trade cards reached their peak near the turn of the century and were the predecessors to recognizable 20th century advertising cards such as bubblegum and baseball cards. State: City: Date: Provenance: Stuart Mackenzie Montana Ephemera Collection