Victorian Calling Cards Etiquette
Queen Victoria opened the door for women of the United Kingdom to take part in a new form of social life in the late 1800's. The Victorian era introduced the calling card, a form of communication that a woman left at homes she visited.
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Etiquette of visitation
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Victorian Visitor It was a social requirement for a Victorian lady to visit family, friends and her husbands business acquaintances during the Victorian era. She would leave one of her cards and two cards representing her husband.
Social time
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Victorian style home A caller would stay thirty minutes or less when visiting during specific morning or afternoon calling hours. The card would be placed on a tray and carried to the lady of the house if she were available.
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Calling cards
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The calling card became a tool of etiquette and courtesy during the Victorian era. The custom started in Great Britain, spreading throughout Europe and America.
Design
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Calling cards had designs and motifs, were colorful, black and white, detailed or simple in detail. The card could feature only the name of the caller or include a simple message done in print or calligraphy.
Messages
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A plain card with a name only would convey a message by having one corner folded down. The top left, social call; top right, congratulations on a new baby, engagement or marriage; bottom left, goodbye or leaving on a trip; and the bottom right, condolences or death in the family.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of T Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Martin Beek Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Oracio Alvarado
