Anyone know info on these?

[EvilKing00]

Received my first 1800's cards in the mail today,

I have seen these once in a while and finally decided to pick some up, don't know too much about them.

I know these are trimmed at the bottom (but they looked real) missing the whole ad piece. But for a few bucks I thought it was worth my first ones.

These are a bit different than most I have seen and read about, they don't have the Gargling oil ads on the back.

1 - Says "Tower Hall Clothing" - with more text
1 - Says "Crager the Tailor" - more text

1 - says - L.C. Hathaway, fine groceries - more text

1 - says - " Burglar proof alarm" more text

Any info additional info or history anyone can provide would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[rdwyer]

They're 1880's trade cards.

[ernestreyes]

They are commonly known as H804-7 Merchant's Gargling Oil, have 5 cards to the set, were made in the 1880's and are known to have been produced by up to 4 different printers. It comes in many different shades, colors and variations. Your cards are trimmed all the way around. As you said, the bottom portion with the Merchant's advertising is gone and the borders along the top and sides is noticeably smaller than cards I've seen.

I briefly wrote about my set on my blog, here: http://www.dodgersblueheaven.com/200...ade-cards.html

[EvilKing00]

Thanks for the info guys!