19th Century Sunday School Cards

In my search for 19th century ephemera, I usually buy trade cards or rewards of merit. But on occasion, other miscellany — like religious cards — catches my eye, particularly if it's gilt embossed or beautifully die-cut.

Scanning just doesn't capture the gold luster on this quaint card, which strikes me as looking Neo Gothic. That could be a good clue to its age.

As I look at the rest of the cards in this posting, I see that I'm most attracted to the amazingly fine die-cut laciness that was achieved in the 1800s. We don't see this fineness today, even with the technology of lasers.

I've always had a special affinity with this card of the angel, not only because it is one of the most handsome pieces of ephemera that I've collected, but also for the inscription on the back.

Have a happy weekend!

.