Geography: Elmira

This trade card advertises H. Strauss & Co., merchant tailors and dealers in ready-made clothing, located at 205 East Water Street (Ratbun House Block) in Elmira, New York. The front of the card (Image 1) features a simple design, likely focusing primarily on text to convey the business information. The back of the card is blank (Image 2). The card's design is consistent with late 19th-century advertising styles.

Trade card advertising the Railroad and Farmers' Clothing Bazaar owned by A. Frankenstein. Located at 138 Water Street, Elmira, New York. The card features an illustration of a tailor measuring a client. Undated, but possibly from 1878 based on contextual evidence.

This trade card advertises L. Rosenbaum & Sons, millinery, located at 201 East Water Street in Elmira, New York. The card features an anchor with a rope and flowers, and two leaves. It is printed on cardboard in blue ink. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises M. Eliassof & Bro., a shoe dealer located at 325 East Water Street in Elmira, New York. The front of the card depicts a woman trying on a shoe, with the business name and address printed in bold. The bottom corner of the card is chipped. The back is blank.

This trade card advertises L. Holzheimer & Co., successors to Guttenberg, Rosenbaum & Co., in Elmira, New York. The front of the card features a baseball catcher in action. The illustration is bordered by text. The back is blank. [L. Holzheimer was the treasurer of Temple, possibly a synagogue.]

This trade card advertises L. Rosenbaum & Sons, a clothing store located in Elmira, New York. The front of the card has a bell-shaped design and is predominantly white with a black border. The card features a decorative floral design. The business name, L. Rosenbaum & Sons, is written in bold at the top of the card. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises M. Eliassof & Bro., a clothing store located in Elmira, New York. The front of the card features a portrait of a woman with blonde hair. She is wearing a dark, ruffled dress and a light-colored collar. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises Freudenheim & Abramson, a watch case dealer located at 102 Lake Street, Elmira, New York. The front of the card features a depiction of children playing around a watch. The back of the card provides a full advertisement for 'Boss Pat. Gold Watch Cases' and includes a lengthy, small-print guarantee.

This trade card advertises L. Rosenbaum & Sons, a dry goods store located at 201 E. Water St. in Elmira, New York. The front of the card features a floral design with stylized mushrooms and flowers, printed in red and black ink. The text, printed in black ink, reads 'WHOLESALE AND RETAIL' at the top, with the address below. The back of the card is blank.

Trade card advertising L. Rosenbaum & Sons, located at 201 E. Water St., Elmira, New York. The card depicts a comical scene and includes the phrase "They All Do It." It is one of a set of four. Circa 1885.

Trade card advertising L. Rosenbaum & Sons, clothiers, located at 201 E. Water St., Elmira, New York. The card depicts a comical scene of a man being fitted for clothing, emphasizing the store's focus on circumference. The card is part of a set of four and is circa 1885.

Trade card for L. Rosenbaum & Sons, located at 201 E. Water St., Elmira, New York. The card depicts a comical scene, possibly related to clothing or dry goods, featuring a fat man in a park. The text includes the phrase "Dawgy! Dawgy! Vere is dat." The card is part of a set of four and is dated circa 1885.

This is one of a set of four trade cards advertising L. Rosenbaum & Sons, a dry goods store located at 201 E. Water St., Elmira, New York. The card features a comical illustration of a school boy, depicted as a dunce, with the caption 'I Never Saw That Pin Afore'. The illustration is a racist caricature, and the boy is shown with exaggerated features and dark skin. The card is printed in black and white, and has a red border. The front of the card has the business name and address. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises L. Rosenbaum & Sons, a wholesale and retail dry goods store located at 201 E. Water St. in Elmira, New York. The card features an image of strawberries and flowers. The front of the card has a red border, and the back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises L. Rosenbaum & Sons, a wholesale and retail dry goods store located in Elmira, New York. The front of the card features a charming illustration of violets and an angel. The image suggests a delicate and refined aesthetic, typical of late 19th-century commercial design. Below the image, the business's name, type of business ('Wholesale and Retail'), and street address ('201 E. Water St.') are clearly printed. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises M. Eliassof & Bro., a clothing store located at 325 Water Street, Elmira, New York. The front of the card features an illustration of a child sitting with a parasol, possibly in a park or outdoor setting. The illustration is in a vintage style and uses soft colors. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises Chas. Lantaff & Co., a 99c. and Variety Store in Elmira, New York. The front of the card features an illustration of black-eyed susans, a type of wildflower. The back of the card features a full advertisement.

This trade card advertises Grumme & Klippenstein's West End Furniture Rooms in Elmira, New York. The front of the card features a simple line drawing of a stick figure, possibly a caricature, in a green waistcoat and black tights. The figure's attire and style are reminiscent of 19th-century illustrations. Below the illustration, the business name and address are prominently displayed: GRUMME & KLIPPENSTEIN, 218 TO 222 WEST WATER STREET. The back of the card is blank. The inclusion of a caricature of a Black man in the image warrants attention, as it reflects the racial biases of the time period and may be considered offensive.

This trade card advertises M. Eliassof & Bro., clothiers located at 325 East Water Street, Elmira, New York. The front of the card features a woman in a dress and a leaf hat. She appears to be in a store, possibly holding a fabric sample or a garment. The illustration is rendered in a simple and somewhat cartoonish style, typical of trade cards from this era. The background is a simple, mostly plain wall. The back of the card is blank.

This is one of three trade cards in this record. The front of the card showcases a depiction of Argentinian currency and a native person from Argentina. The imagery reflects a common practice in the 19th century of using exotic or foreign themes in advertisements, although such depictions may now be considered racially insensitive. Below the illustration, the address 201 E. Water St. is clearly visible. The back of the card features a full advertisement for a "Souvenir of Our Spring Opening."

This is one of three trade cards in this record. The front of the card features an illustration related to Peru: a depiction of Peruvian currency and perhaps a native person. Below the image, the address of the business is printed: 201 E. Water St. The back of the card is fully printed with an advertisement for a "Souvenir of Our Spring Opening".

This is one of a set of three trade cards advertising L. Rosenbaum & Sons, a dry goods and clothing store located at 201 E. Water St., Elmira, New York. The front of the card features an illustration related to the theme of "Currency & Native of Russia." [The imagery may reflect common stereotypes of the time, potentially relating to the store's sourcing or clientele]. The back of the card is a full advertisement for a "Souvenir of Our Spring Opening."

Civil War era store token issued by Louis Strauss & Co., located in Elmira, New York. The token features an 1863 Indian Head Penny on the front and 'Dry Goods No. 3 Union Block' on the back. Issued in 1863.

A business letter from A. Anhalt & Co., located at 4 Nicks Street in Elmira, New York, dated January 5, 1881. The letter discusses a problematic account. A. Anhalt, a Jewish merchant, was the overseer of the poor in Elmira. The letter is signed by an unknown individual, ? Schwartz, and addressed to A. N. Switzer. The company dealt in raw furs, wool, hides, pelts, calf skins, tallow, and beeswax.