Trade Card for Whiting & Branston, Engravers & Printers 1800 - 1900

This anonymous trade card from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, advertising the services of Whiting & Branston, Engravers & Printers, showcases the intricate design and craftsmanship of 19th-century printmaking. The card features a central oval with a decorative motif surrounded by ornate borders, displaying a combination of steel and wood engraving. It highlights the company's specialties, including bank notes, bonds, and bankers' checks, emphasizing their dedication to quality and the prevention of forgery. This vibrant and intricate example of trade card design, printed in shades of blue and red, would have served as a compelling visual advertisement for this important printing company.