Trade Card thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 53

Trade Card

1738 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This is a trade card, a form of self-publicity that was widely used by tradesmen during the 18th century. They were known as 'shopkeepers' bills'. They were generally etched, that is the design was drawn onto a coated metal plate with an etching needle and then etched into the plate by immersion in an acid bath. The plate was then coated with ink, wiped (so that only the ink in the grooves was retained) and then pressed onto a sheet of paper to transfer the image.

People
Henry Copland (died 1753) was trained to engrave in goldsmiths' workshops, and was therefore able to engrave on gold or silver objects as well as on metal printing plates. During the Rococo period there was a close relationship between the style of trade cards and also pattern books and decorative art objects, such as furniture and metalwork. Copland is seen as particularly influential in the development of a distinctly English Rococo style, and this trade card is one of the earliest examples. The form of the cartouche recurs in many trade cards and examples of engraved metalwork in the 1740s.

There are two forms of this trade card, which differ in the description of Benjamin Rackstrow's profession. The other card describes him as a 'Cabinet and Picture-frame maker'. Here Rackstrow is described as a sculptor of portrait busts, as well as a creator of plaster decoration for interiors and lead sculptures for gardens.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Engraving, ink on paper
Brief description
Trade card of Benjamin Rackstrow, figure maker
Physical description
Trade card
Dimensions
  • Paper height: 17.3cm
  • Paper width: 13.6cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 18/01/1999 by LM/PW Current card mount is 18.5 x 14.8
Marks and inscriptions
Lettered 'B. Rackstrow Figure-Maker, At Sr. Isaac Newton's Head, in Fleet Street London. Takes off Faces from the Life & forms them into Busts to an exact likeness, & with as little trouble as sitting to be Shav'd. makes all Sorts of Figures in Plaster with Ornaments for Doors, and Chimney pieces in ye neatest manner to represent either Marble, Stone, or Terracotta NB. He Llikewise Makes & Mends Leaden Figures, Vases, &c, for Gardens & Fountains. and Erects Grotto's'
Gallery label
British Galleries: This is the earliest known dated Rococo trade card. The dynamic frame, with its vigorous, scrolled surround, fluttering leaves and outcrops of rockwork or 'rocaille', is close to Hubert Gravelot's ornamental manner. The later work of this engraver, Henry Copland, is in a more agitated, spikey style.(27/03/2003)
Object history
Engraved in London by Henry Copland (died in 1753)
Production
Dated 1738
Summary
Object Type
This is a trade card, a form of self-publicity that was widely used by tradesmen during the 18th century. They were known as 'shopkeepers' bills'. They were generally etched, that is the design was drawn onto a coated metal plate with an etching needle and then etched into the plate by immersion in an acid bath. The plate was then coated with ink, wiped (so that only the ink in the grooves was retained) and then pressed onto a sheet of paper to transfer the image.

People
Henry Copland (died 1753) was trained to engrave in goldsmiths' workshops, and was therefore able to engrave on gold or silver objects as well as on metal printing plates. During the Rococo period there was a close relationship between the style of trade cards and also pattern books and decorative art objects, such as furniture and metalwork. Copland is seen as particularly influential in the development of a distinctly English Rococo style, and this trade card is one of the earliest examples. The form of the cartouche recurs in many trade cards and examples of engraved metalwork in the 1740s.

There are two forms of this trade card, which differ in the description of Benjamin Rackstrow's profession. The other card describes him as a 'Cabinet and Picture-frame maker'. Here Rackstrow is described as a sculptor of portrait busts, as well as a creator of plaster decoration for interiors and lead sculptures for gardens.
Collection
Accession number
E.1646-1907

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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