Experience a piece of fashion history with this Victorian trade card from J.W. Hess & Co., highlighting their exquisite range of "Silks, Velvets, Plushes, and Fine Dress Goods." The card lists an array of products including millinery, cloaks, dolmans, shawls, fine dress trimming, hosiery, and underwear, and advertises their speciality in fitting kid gloves. It's a snapshot of the elaborate offerings from a 19th-century dress goods establishment located at 12 and 14 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN. The front side of the card is elegantly simple with a focus on typography, while the back features a red-hued illustration of a child, emphasizing the store's offerings for children.
The card is in a worn antique condition. The typography on the front remains bold and readable, with some ink smudges and a crease across the center. The brown paper has faded uniformly with time. The back of the card shows a charming illustration that is still vivid, though there is notable paper wear along the edges and corners, and some discoloration spots from age and handling. Despite its signs of age, this trade card holds its charm and serves as a tangible link to the retail history of the late 1800s.