Visitekaartje van boek- en prenthandel A. Lefilleul te Parijs 1831 - 1897

This calling card for the Parisian book and print dealer A. Lefilleul was made by Adolphe Varin using engraving, probably sometime in the mid-19th century. The technique of engraving involves using a tool to incise lines directly into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Look closely and you can see how the image is built up from a dense mesh of these lines, giving it a crisp, precise quality. The result is a delicate composition of type and floral ornament. This card, while small, speaks volumes about the culture of commerce in 19th-century Paris. Consider the care taken in its production, from the skilled labor of the engraver to the quality of the paper. This attention to detail reflects the value placed on craftsmanship and the importance of cultivating a refined image. The card is an example of the kind of finely wrought object that Lefilleul himself would have stocked. It reminds us that even the most ephemeral objects can be imbued with artistry and care.