Trade Card Advertisement of die-cut card of a banjo with woman's face - Henry S. Bissex (1887)

Very Cool!

Trade Card Advertisement of die-cut card of a banjo with woman's face, Henry S. Bissex publisher (1887), USA.

Here we have an very interesting example of a novelty trade card, die-cut in the shape of a fretless 5- string banjo. In the late 19th century, images of popular string instruments of the day, such as the banjo, guitar, mandolin and violin, were often used to advertise all manner of goods and services. They were also favored motifs for early "greeting" type postcards, the forerunners of the modern greeting card.

This particular card offers a beautiful image of a lovely young woman's beaming face on the head of the banjo. She wears a crown of wild flowers. The banjo's "C" and "G" strings (the 4th and 3rd strings) are depicted as broken so as not to cover our young lady's pretty blue eye.

The inscription in the right-hand corner of the banjo's face reads: "Henry S. Bissex, Boots, Shoes & Trunks, 3800 Lancaster Ave." At the bottom, bisected by the banjo's tailpiece, is the legend: "Copyrighted by I. H. Hamburger 1887."
 
Overall length is 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.), 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm.) width A fine period piece. There is a break between the neck and body which has been repaired and there are a few minor spots of peeling around the edges and on the neck. Good Condition.

Item # 840
 
This item has been sold.


 
Click on a thumbnail above for a detailed view.