Late 19th - French Advertising Card - Gilt Child Illustration - La Belle Jardinière Clothing Store - Paris Fashion History

This charming document is a French advertising trade card, likely from the late 19th century. The front features a delightful chromolithograph illustration of a young child, dressed in a nightcap and nightshirt, sitting on a red stool and pulling on a pair of blue stockings. The background is a striking golden hue, adding a touch of elegance to the scene. The image evokes a sense of warmth and comfort.

Below the illustration, a French caption reads: 'Voilà des bas qui remplacent bien une chaufferette.' This translates to, 'Here are stockings that truly replace a foot warmer,' cleverly linking the product to warmth and coziness. The reverse side serves as an advertisement for 'Maison de la Belle Jardinière,' a Parisian clothing store located at 2 Rue du Pont-Neuf, specializing in 'Habillements tout faits et sur Mesure pour Hommes et pour Enfants' (Ready-made and Tailored Clothing for Men and Children).

The card highlights the store's prestigious awards from various Universal Exhibitions in Paris, including 'Seule Médaille d'Honneur Paris 1855' (Only Medal of Honor Paris 1855) and 'Membre du Jury Exposition Universelle Paris 1878' (Jury Member Universal Exhibition Paris 1878), indicating a date after 1878. It also lists several branches, demonstrating the company's widespread presence.