Late 19th - Maison de la Belle Jardinière Trade Card - Gilt Advertising Chromo - 18th Century Fashion Illustration - Department Store

This charming Late 19th-century trade card is an advertising chromo for 'Maison de la Belle Jardinière,' a prominent French department store. The front features an exquisite illustration of a boy and girl dressed in 18th-century fashion, highlighted with rich gilt accents, referencing the elegance of the depicted era with the number '1720.'

The reverse side provides extensive details about the establishment, advertising 'Habillement tout faits et sur mesure pour Hommes et pour Enfants' (Ready-made and custom-made clothing for Men and Children). It lists numerous branches in major French cities like Marseille, Lyon, Angers, Nantes, and Paris. The card proudly showcases the store's accolades, including 'Seule Médaille d'Honneur Paris 1855 Exposition Universelle' (Sole Medal of Honor Paris 1855 Universal Exhibition) and 'Seule Méd. d'Or Nominative Paris 1867 Exposition Universelle' (Sole Nominative Gold Medal Paris 1867 Universal Exhibition). It also states 'ExpoN Universelle Paris 1878. Hors Concours. Membre du Jury.' (Universal Exhibition Paris 1878. Out of Competition. Member of the Jury.), firmly dating the card to post-1878.