Hidden Name Calling Cards

"Long may peace attend thee!" A Victorian-era hidden-name calling card with shaking hands, a sailing ship, and the Statue of Liberty, all surrounded by a border of roses and forget-me-nots. The colorful illustration consists of a separate die-cut that lifts up on the right-hand side to reveal the name of "Edward M. Mercer" printed underneath.

"Friendship's tie. Love sincere."

A Victorian-era hidden-name calling card.

"To the keeper of my heart. Price net to agents, twenty for 15 cts. Agents charge 25 cents."

This type of Victorian "hidden name" calling card consists of an underlying card--this one has scalloped edges--with a colorful printed "scrap" covering the name that's printed on the card. In this case, the name hidden underneath the scrap is "Blanchie V. Wherley." The scrap, which is only glued to the card along the left-hand edge, can be carefully lifted from the right in order to reveal the name. To understand how this works, see the following illustration (below), which demonstrates how to lift the scrap to uncover the name printed on the card. The chromolithographed die-cut scraps often featured typical Victorian motifs, such as flowers, birds, and hands. Other scraps had patriotic themes, including U.S. flags, presidents, and Union generals of the American Civil War. For additional examples of this type of Victorian card, see below or take a look at my Hidden Name Calling Cards album.

"Accept my best wishes."

A hidden name calling card with an illustration of U.S. President Grover Cleveland . Cleveland married Frances Clara Folsom in 1886 during his first term as president, and she was also the subject of a similar calling card :

Caption: "Mrs. Cleveland." Name hidden underneath the printed scrap: "Rue Crounover" (see Explanation of Hidden Name Calling Cards for an illustration showing how these cards work). Grover Cleveland , the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, began his first term in office (1885-1889) as a bachelor, but married Frances Clara Folsom in 1886. She served as First Lady during the remainder of Cleveland's first term and again during his second term (1893-1897). President Cleveland was also featured on a similar calling card :

"The sea may rise and mountains fall, but my love for thee will live through it all. Sweet dreams and glad awakernings be thine."

"Life bear for you its sweetest flowers." No name is printed underneath the scrap, which means that this was probably a sample calling card.

"Gen. Logan. With fond greetings!" See also calling cards for General Hancock and General Sherman .

"Gen. Sherman. Trust in me!" Printing hidden under scrap: "Our Generals. 12 for 30 cents. Fringed 12 for 80 cents." See also calling cards for General Hancock and General Logan .

"Gen. Hancock. With fond greetings." American Civil War General Winfield Scott Hancock appears on this hidden name calling card. See also calling cards for General Logan and General Sherman .

"Administration Hall. From your friend." A Victorian-era hidden-name calling card with an illustration of the Administration Building at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. The illustration is a separate piece that lifts up to reveal the name (in this case, "Harry Owens") printed underneath.

Explanation When we speak of "scrap cards" or "scrap picture covering name," we mean that after the cards are printed, the scrap is placed over the name and fastened to the card at one end. In presenting a card to a friend, your name is hidden till they lift the scrap in the manner shown in this illustration, which exposes the name to view and shows the back . of the scrap; on taking the finger off, it again falls into place and hides the name. This style of visiting card is all the rage this season [1886], and is very unique as well as beautiful. --Excerpt from an 1886 sample sheet with illustrations of calling cards for sale by the Connecticut Steam Card Works, Hartford, Conn.