New Orleans House Project

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Trade Card Tuesday: Tying Up A Valentine

In honor of Valentine's Day: 
The Thread That Binds The Union
President Grover Cleveland married Francis Folsom in 1886 - the first wedding to be held in the White House.  Miss Folsom was 21 years old when she married the 48 year old President.  She became a popular and well-liked First Lady, and advertisers took advantage of her popularity by featuring her likeness (along with the President) in all kinds of advertising - all without her permission!

Be that as it may, this is a charming card with cupids tying the knot for the Presidential couple.  The advertising on the reverse describes Merrick Thread as "the best six cord soft finish spool cotton for machine and hand sewing".  The company also sold ready wound bobbins for sewing machines - and we thought that was a 20th century idea!  The card is copyrighted 1886.