Visiting card
Visiting cards first appeared in China in the 15th century, and in Europe in the 17th century. The footmen of aristocrats and of royalty would deliver these first European visiting cards to the servants of their prospective hosts solemnly introducing the arrival of their owners.
Visiting cards became an indispensable tool of etiquette, with sophisticated rules governing their use. As an adoption from French and English etiquette, visiting cards became common amongst the aristocracy of America and Europe. They included refined engraved ornaments and fantastic coats of arms.
The visiting cards served as tangible evidence of meeting social obligations, as well as providing a streamlined letter of introduction. The stack of cards in the card tray in the hall was a handy catalog of exactly who had called and whose calls one should reciprocate. They did smack of affectation however, and were not generally used among country folk or the working classes. With the passage of time, visiting cards, or calling cards, became an essential accessory to any 19th-century upper or middle class lady or gentleman.
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