Trade Card for Welchman, seal engraver 1800 - 1850

This is a trade card for Welchman, a seal engraver, made anonymously, printed on a sheet. The business card is a fantastic example of the printing and engraving processes of the time. The letters were likely etched into a metal plate, inked, and then pressed onto paper. The skill required to engrave the fine lines and delicate curves of the lettering speaks to the high level of craftsmanship valued at the time. The design itself, with its ornate script and elegant flourishes, suggests a clientele that appreciated refinement and attention to detail. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this trade card also offers a glimpse into the social and economic context of the time. In the absence of mass advertising, trade cards served as crucial marketing tools for businesses, and were also a means of advertising the tradesman’s own quality of labor. In considering the materials, techniques, and purposes behind this small yet intricate object, we gain a richer understanding of its cultural and historical significance.