Visiting Cards, 17th century

The upheaval or downturn of these business cards traditions and industry gives the idea of how society and science were getting more and more mature.

Tradecards

Originated in England in XII century

With the advent of tradecards at early XII century in London English merchants could advertize their goods and direct their customers to their shops just by placing a small map on tradecards. These maps were of great importance to both customers and merchants, because at that time no proper street numbering system was created.

Speaking of that age it is necessary to mention that newspapers didn't gain recognition as advertising tool simply because they were undeveloped. People of that age had no electronic maps enabling to discover easily the location of the place they needed, so maps on tradecards were especially instrumental in this respect.

From the technical point of view, printing of tradecards can be divided into several periods:

• In the beginning of XII century to print tradecards letterpress or woodcut method was used.
• Copperplate engraving replaced letterpress or woodcut method by the XIII century. 
• From around 1830 lithography allowing to print several-colored tradecards became the most popular method.

For almost two centuries tradecards were only done in monotones or sometimes with simple tints. In spite of the poor printing facilities, they still were in great demand. The trend to distribute tradecards was getting more and more topical as business grew.

The XIX century, however, was a different time, which determined the development of periodicals and newspapers. In the XIX century technological development made these media affordable and popular, which lead to the common recognition of newspapers' advertizing.

With the advent of the machinery that was so lavishly displayed and advertised tradecards became out of fashion and suffer decrease in the use, but they are considered to be ancestors of custom business cards and were spread throughout the England.

Visiting Cards

Originated in France in XII century

Visiting cards, as a matter of fact, originate from playing cards. Well, initially some playing cards functioned as visiting cards and coincided with them in seize. Visiting cards traditions started forming when people began writing messages, signatures and other notes on playing cards; it further developed in essential part of court etiquette.

French court accepted visiting cards or "" as means of introducing their holders, therefore they were skillfully decorated and adorned and were supposed to show all greatness of their owners. During the reign of Louis XIV (1643 to 1715) first visiting cards appeared and stably established in French court etiquette.

Historical note:

Louis XIV, the King of France, was an arts supporter. He patronized writers and architects, such as Moliere and Jules Mansart respectively.  Louis XIV, known the world over as "Le Roi Soleil" had gorgeous court at Versailles became an object of envy and awe among other princes.