New Orleans House Project

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Trade Card Tuesday: A Puzzlement

Victorian trade cards often used puzzles to help peddle their wares.  The cards below are examples of rebus puzzles - word play using pictures, letters and words to illustrate a common phrase or saying.

These cards are all from the Standard Sewing Machine Company of Cleveland, Ohio.  The company formed in the late 1880s and was bought out by Singer in the 1930s.





The last card is a little different from the first 3, and a little harder to figure out.
Let me know via the comments if you need a hint!

If you enjoy rebus puzzles, here's a link to a nice collection.  If you need some hints, scroll to the bottom of the page for a link to the answers!