While we’re on the subject of the trade cards of Troy merchants in the 19th century (yes, that is the subject we were on), here’s another one from the Boston Public Library collection on Flickr. This one is from Julius Saul, the clothier of Troy whom we’ve profiled before. It’s safe to assume that this imprintable card featuring the likeness of President James A. Garfield, apparently the sitting president at the time, could have been one of a series of presidential cards (“collect ’em all!”). Or perhaps Mr. Saul just thought his customers needed reminding of who the president was. It was a simpler time.
Saul didn’t limit himself to Troy; he also had a store at 51-53 North Pearl Street in Albany, as a commenter was good enough to inform me.