Gilded Age Card Style Etiquette

An elegant use of the card distinguishes the well-informed in social usage. This distinction shows when the distribution of cards begins.

STYLE OF CARDS

The prevailing style of cards for women is nearly square (about 2 x 3 inches). A fine smooth-finished card-board of medium weight and stiffness is used. The color is pearl-white, not cream. The engraving is plain script of medium size. A man's card is smaller and narrower, proportionately (about 1 x 2 inches), and is of slightly heavier card-board. The engraving may be somewhat larger and heavier, but should not appear coarse.

The responsibility of furnishing the correct style of card rests with the engraver, whose business it is to know the ruling fashion of the day. Any one may have an elegant card by intrusting the choice to a first-class stationer. But it is not half the battle to secure an elegant card. An elegant use of the card distinguishes the well-informed in social usage. This distinction shows when the distribution of cards begins.— Agnes H. Morton, 1899

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