If you work at a historical society, you'll definitely come across oddities and treasures, alike. I was intrigued recently by the report that a 117-year-old business card was accidentally found in a file cabinet at a historical society in Wisconsin. The business card promoted the Waushara Argus and the services that the newspaper offered in 1900.
I contacted the Waushara County Historical Society to learn a little more about the 117-year-old business card.
"I was going through some old files in a file cabinet and I ran across the business card," explains a member of the Waushara County Historical Society's board of directors. "I was impressed by the size of it. It was not your standard slip-in-your-wallet size. It's a little bigger, and a heavier weight than standard card stock. I also really liked the font."
The front of the card lists information about the Waushara Argus, such as the proprietors' names, J.T. Ellarson and W.H. Berray, as well as a note that the newspaper was prepared to assist with any type of printing job, including "Fine Commercial Printing."
It reads: "The Argus is the Official County Paper of Waushara County and has a general circulation in all parts of the county. It is an excellent advertising medium for all wishing to reach the people in this county. Subscription price One Dollar. This office is prepared to do all kinds of Job Printing including Fine Commercial Printing. Neatly. Promptly. Satisfactorily and at reasonable prices."
The back of the card highlights colorful information about Wautoma, Waushara County, Wis., during that time period.
Do you have a printed historical document that you would like to share? We would love to feature them!
Contact Julie Greenbaum at jgreenbaum@napco.com
Julie Greenbaum is a contributor to Printing Impressions.