Description
Nine chromolithographed trade cards from American seed houses, printed c. 1870–1900. Six are D. M. Ferry & Co. of Detroit flower-seed cards, each painted “from actual specimens” and finished with a lettered label and a printed back listing the varieties on sale. The rest are a Crimson Rambler rose card from Chase Brothers, and two James Vick “Choice Seeds” cards in lettering and bouquets. The cards are whole originals, fronts and backs, from the Boston Public Library’s trade card collection.
The flowers are the part to borrow: the cutouts download has seven bouquets and 17 single blooms on transparent backgrounds, with the card, border and brand lettering left behind. Use them on seed packets, garden-center signs, tea labels, stationery or a florist’s menu.
What’s inside
- Originals (ZIP): 16 images, JPG, front and back of each card
- Cutouts (ZIP): 24 cutouts, transparent PNG: 7 flower bouquets and 17 single blooms
- SOURCES.txt with a link to every card
The cards
- 1. Pansies – a cluster of velvety pansies in plum, white and yellow
- 2. Asters – pink, white, lavender and blue quilled asters
- 3. Nasturtium – yellow, orange and mahogany blooms with round leaves
- 4. Morning glory – sky-blue, white, pink and striped trumpets
- 5. Portulaca – pink, white, yellow and double purple blooms on a feathery stem
- 6. Mignonette – spires of red-dotted green flower heads
- 7. Crimson Rambler – a cluster of deep red climbing roses; the back is a nurseryman’s sales copy
- 8. James Vick’s Choice Seeds – a banner of pansies, vegetables and a vase
- 9. Vick’s Choice Seeds, tall card – hand-lettered title over foxgloves, morning glories and a ribbon
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