Trade Card for Jones & Company, Engravers and Printers 1700 - 1800

This trade card for Jones & Company, Engravers and Printers, was made by an anonymous artist with printmaking techniques. Look closely, and you'll see the variety of materials Jones & Company could engrave on stone, steel, and silver. The print combines exuberant typography, flourishes, and heraldic motifs. The image has a tactile quality; you can almost feel the pressure of the printing press on the paper. The card speaks to the social context of commerce and trade in London, advertising the company's services to potential clients. The claim of being "Patronized by His Majesty" is a strategic appeal to status and quality, as the work is made with skilled labor. This trade card shows the blurring of art, craft, and commerce. It elevates the status of the printed image beyond mere utility. Appreciating its materials and the skilled labor involved allows us to consider its place within both design history and broader social practices.