Subject: Grand opening

A trade card for the "Grand Opening" of P. A. Stern's P. O. Clothing House in Marshalltown, Iowa. The card advertises a large stock of fall and winter clothing for men, youths, and boys, claiming to have stock twice as large as any other in town. The front of the card features a color illustration (blue tones) of a young boy and girl sitting by a wooden fence, with a sunflower and watering can. The text on the front reads "COMPLIMENTS OF P. A. STERN, P. O. Clothing House, MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA." The verso contains the full advertisement text.

This trade card advertises the 'Grand Opening' of P. A. Stern's P. O. Clothing House in Marshalltown, Iowa, circa 1885. The verso promotes an 'Immense Stock of FALL AND WINTER CLOTHING, For Men, Youths and Boys,' noting that the stock is 'twice as large as any in town' and encourages people to examine their stock. It also states the store is located 'under Tremont Hotel.' The recto features a color illustration (predominantly red) of a young boy playfully climbing over a fence towards a girl holding a cut sunflower. The text on the recto reads 'COMPLIMENTS OF P. A. STERN, P. O. Clothing House, MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA.' The card uses a mix of ornate script and bold typefaces typical of late 19th-century advertising. 3.