The usual suspects: Macrae's show

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Posted By: Rich Rubin

Here's an example of Julie's blank-backed trade card used for a Baltimore store.





Leland's auction Lot 1310 is an example of a "blank" trade advertisement. It was incorrectly described as a 19th century baseball advertisement in the auction. The most well-known (only known?) use of this particular oilcloth was in Babe Ruth's father's bar where it's seen in upper right of the famous photo taken in the bar on Dec. 25, 1915 (with Babe and his father behind the bar). The oilcloth has a calander attached to the bottom and has the advertisement: "Ruth's Cafe" "Babe Ruth's Favorite".
http://www.lelands.com/bid.aspx?lot=1310&auction=505