Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

View of an advertising card for the Detroit-based R.H. Fyfe & Co., advertising Edwin C. Burt shoes.

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By Emily Bingham | ebingham@mlive.com

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In our work covering Michigan history, we spend a lot of time in various archives -- where we sometimes stumble upon unexpected treasures. Recently, while perusing the Detroit Public Library's expansive Burton Historical Collection, we noticed an impressive amount of colorful, quirky Victorian-era local business advertisements known as trade cards: Think business cards, but richly illustrated and meant to be collectible. And these cards were, indeed, avidly collected, with customers pasting the cards into scrapbooks, a trend that stuck around for a while in the late 1800's.

Interestingly, these cards didn't necessarily depict the business itself nor the wares that the business was selling. Instead they often featured illustrations of whatever was favored by pop culture at that time: babies, animals, children playing, pretty women, floral bouquets, pleasing scenery. In this way they're a window into daily life of that era, including what kind of messaging was appealing to consumers, what people spent their money on, and what trends were happening in the marketing world. (Depictions of kittens were apparently quite en vogue.)

We thought some of our readers might enjoy perusing these old-timey ads as much as we did (for extra geeky fun, Google these old businesses' addresses, to see what stands in the same spot now in Detroit), so we compiled them into the following list.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertising card for the Michigan Stove Company, advertising Garland stoves and ranges. The following image shows the reverse side of the card.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

This Mabley & Company ad features a somewhat pained-looking man wearing a peach costume. According to the label on the back, Mabley & Company sold clothing, cats, suits, crockery, glassware, books, toys ... but no mention of peach costumes.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertising card for the Detroit druggist James W. Caldwell, advertising Laird's Bloom of Youth and White Lilac soap. The reverse side of this card is shown in the next image.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for the Detroit florist James Vennor.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

"Gem pictures" were inexpensive miniature tintype photographs that became popular after the Civil War. Printed on the front of this ad: "I have my gem pictures taken at Wing's. 149 Jefferson Ave., Detroit, Mich."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertisement for Farnsworth's Shoe House, advertising Fearey's Albany shoes.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

The Detroit Soap Co.'s legendary Queen Anne Soap was known for a very particular marketing gimmick: Each bar of soap came packaged with a trading card, which included depictions of flowers, animals, and other illustrations, like this one. Customers could also collect coupons tucked inside cases of the soap; those coupons could be traded in for all kinds of goodies, including home furnishings and boat excursions on the Great Lakes.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertising card for the Detroit Soap Co.'s Queen Anne Soap.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A Detroit Soap Co. advertisement.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

Another advertising card for the Detroit Soap Co., depicting a dog and a circus performer.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertising card for Detroit clothing giant J.L. Hudson, depicting sailboats and a fan. The advertising text can be seen in the following image.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertising card for J.L. Hudson from the legendary Detroit merchant's first business in Detroit: A clothing shop on the ground floor of the old Opera House, from which his historic department store empire eventually grew.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for A.R. Morgan, depicting a man, wearing ice skates, pushing a woman in a sleigh on a frozen pond. Printed on the back: "Reynolds Brothers, celebrated fine shoes, for ladies, misses and children are acknowledged by all to be 'the best made.' We have them constantly on hand in every size, width and style. A.R. Morgan, Detroit, Mich."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A bizzaro ad for A.R. Morgan, in which a child is pulling a cat's tail at a table. Printed on the back: "Johnnie, dear, run down to the corner and get a pair of shoes. Tell him to charge it. Oh no, ma, give me the money and let me go to Morgan's Great Cash Store; can save 25 cents, and then I can buy a story book, do, mamma, won't you? Well, here's the money, Johnnie. Hurry up. That Morgan is making children crazy to save money; success to Morgan. N.B. Ladies' and Children's Department on 1st floor."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertising card for the Seely Manufacturing Co., a 19th century maker of perfumes and extracts.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

Another ad for the Seely Manufacturing Co., depicting a boy spraying perfume on a sleeping girl. Printed on back: "Seely Manufacturing Co. Perfumers, Detroit. Ask your druggist for Seely's perfumes. Ask your grocer for Seely's pure flavorings. The standard goods of America. For sale everywhere."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertising card for Pingree & Smith footwear of Detroit, one in a series of fireman-themed cards for the historic shoe manufacturer. (Co-founder Hazen Pingree would go on to become one of Detroit's most lauded mayors.)

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertising card for the Detroit Paper Co., depicting a boy, dog, bird, campfire and, strangely, a man who appears to be a wizard.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A Detroit-based Duncan & Hanna advertisement for Virginia Belle tobacco.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A Detroit Stove Works ad for Jewel-brand stoves and ranges.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertisement for A.W. Lowell on Woodward Avenue, depicting a woman knitting in front of fireplace. Cat plays with a spool of thread. The back of the card advertises ribbons, lace, hosiery, gloves, spool silk and other "dress goods."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

Creepy or no? An ad for Mabley & Company, depicting a baby holding a rattle.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for Mosquera-Julia Food Company, depicting a nurse tending to a sick man and a homemaker pouring broth into a tureen. The ad touts Mosquera's beef jelly, "a finely flavored and nutritious extract of beef."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for the Detroit-based People's Outfitting Co., depicting a man and woman in period costumes. The front reads "Promise me to buy our furniture, carpets, stoves, etc. from People's Outfitting Co."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

Another kitten-in-shoe advertisement, this time for Fred Wardell fine shoes.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertisement for "Dr. Humphrey's witch hazel oil," courtesy of Frederick J. Henning in Detroit. Printed on back: "Dr. Humphrey's witch hazel oil. For piles. Samples mailed free. One application gives relief."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertising card Hire's root beer, supplied by the pharmacist E.A. Pickard, whose store was on Congress Street. (See next photo for reverse of ad.)

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertisement for Barclay & Corey's Base Ball Club tobacco.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

This Braun Lumber Company ad includes a photograph of a crane loading lumber onto a railroad flatcar.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

Another advertising card for the Detroit Soap Co., depicting four kittens toying around with chalkboards.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A unique advertising card for Boydell Bros. paint, featuring an eye-spy puzzle. Text reads: "Use Boydell's paint. Puzzle card. Find elephant, deer, fox, two lions, horse, goose, crocodile, bull, pig, frog, lizard, owl, parrot, rooster crowing, man smoking and mule. " Printed on the back: "Boydell Bros., manufacturers of prepared house paints, shellac floor paints, household paints, carriage gloss paints, enamel white paints, interior white paints, barn paints. Office and store 16 and 18 E. Congress St. Works 39, 41 and 43 E. Fort St., Detroit. Boydell's trade mark established 1865."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for Grinnell Bros. music store, advertising Huntington pianos.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for National Acorn stoves sold by John A. Kengel. The card depicts a girl holding a doll. Printed on front: "John A. Kengel, 159 & 161 Grand River Ave., Detroit, Mich. Acorn stoves and ranges over 1,000,000 in use." Illustration and description of the National Acorn range printed on back.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for the boot and shoe manufacturer H.P. Baldwin and Co. Thirty years after establishing his shoe company in Detroit, H.P. Baldwin became the 15th governor of Michigan.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A curious advertising card for clothier C.R. Mabley, depicting a slightly witchy-looking woman and a young girl at the beach. Printed on the front: "It's a wise child that knows its own mother at the sea side. C.R. Mabley, clothing, custom tailoring, shoes, hats, gents' furnishings, trunks, Detroit."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

Another cheeky card for C.R. Mabley, depicting men and women under umbrellas on the beach.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for Twin Brother's yeast: "Makes light sweet wholesome bread and is the best in the market. Has no equal. Try it and be convinced. Sold by all first class grocers, throughout the land. Manufactured at 208 Mich. Ave., Detroit, Mich."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for the shoemaker H.S. Robinson & Co., depicting a girl wearing shoes on her arms, naturally.Printed on back: "Fine sewed shoes. Detroit boot & shoe manufactory. H.S. Robinson & Co. Unexcelled in quality, style & workmanship. We have a full assortment always on hand, in size, width & style. Calvert Lith. Co., Detroit, Mich."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

This ad for E.J. Weeks & Co. chemists depicts a man drinking seltzer. Printed on front: "Tarrant's seltzer aperient. Why yes! It's equal to an hour's walk or a draught of morning dew."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertising card for Standard Sewing Machine Co.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

Another ad for the Standard Sewing Machine Co., based in Detroit.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A ma holds a newspaper scroll in this ad for Detroit's Raymond & Lapham booksellers, which touts Eagle brand pencils' "super extra quality."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A card for L.A. Smith & Co., with a woman holding a jewelry box, wearing a dress and head piece of flowers. Printed on front: "Compliments of L.A. Smith & Co., dry goods. 105 Woodward Avenue, Detroit."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for J.W. & H. Speke. Printed on front: "Electrical repairs, wiring, fixtures and supplies. J.W. & H. Speke, 9021 Quincy Avenue, Detroit, Mich. Euclid 1376-W."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A card for Detroit-based R. Downie & Sons, which, in addition to selling the Acme-brand soap seen here, also sold fresh-roasted coffee, fine teas, spices, lard and other sundries.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for Alexander Gordon, advertising Gordon's Cats cigars. See next image for back of card.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

Another shoemaker, J.V. Lisee, advertised its wares with an image of a kitten pawing after a butterfly on a shoe. Printed on front: "School shoes a specialty. High and medium-cut home manufactured. J.V. Lisee, 146 Woodward Ave. Lowest prices guaranteed."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A sweet card for Allen's Shoe Store, with a baby under an umbrella, watching a frog. Printed on back: "All the best makes of fine shoes sold cheap at Allen's Shoe Store, 156 Woodward Ave. Prices lower than anywhere else, Allen's Shoe Store, 156 Woodward Avenue. Home made shoes, a specialty at Allen's Shoe Store, 156 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Mich."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

This ad for O.W. Shipman depicts a man and a dog who seem to be displeased with each other. Printed on the front: "Copyright 1882 by Geo. M. Hayes." Printed on the back is a price list and the following: "Office of O.W. Shipman, coal, wholesale and retail. Cor. Larned and Griswold Sts., Newberry & McMillan Block. Detroit, Mich., May 15, 1883."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for F. Wetmore & Co., depicting a maid cleaning a stove with Lustro cleaner. Printed on the back [in part]: "Beware of imitations. The Lustro Company, 171 Duane Street, New York. F. Wetmore & Co., Detroit, Mich."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A jolly card for the Vail & Crane Cracker Company featuring two boys on a snowy farm chasing down a turkey.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A creative 1890 ad for Detroit's Albany Dental Parlors, with a man smoking a cigar and a cutout for the nose.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

D.M. Ferry & Co. was a Detroit seed company; this ad depicts a flower named the candytuft. Printed on front: "Candytuft from seeds put up by D.M. Ferry & Co., Detroit, Mich. Painted from actual specimens, grown on D.M. Ferry & Co.'s trial grounds. Copyrighted 1889 by D.M. Ferry & Co."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

Another card for D.M. Ferry & Co., this time depicting sweet peas.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An all-purpose advertising card for Detroit's John M. Ebert, boot & shoe maker, who also apparently repaired school books and sold stationery and candy.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for the Detroit Music Co., depicting a fox playing a bassoon. "We never speak as we pass by" was a lyric from an old-timey song. Printed on back: "Sheet music in large variety. Musical merchandise of every description. Band instruments sold on payments of $1.00 per week, send for catalogue. Pianos and organs in every style. Prices and terms to suit everybody. Sole agents for Chickering, Behning, Hardman, Hallett & Cumston and Christie pianos. Detroit Music Co. 184 & 186 Wood. Ave. Charles Bobzin, Harry R. Williams, Detroit, Mich. Tobin, N.Y."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertisement for Seal of Detroit chewing tobacco manufactured by Granger Tobacco Works.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An advertising card for for Peter Henkel, who sold sugar-cured hams in Detroit.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for Schilling Corset Company, depicing a pair of owls apparently tying the knot while frogs dance and play the harp below. The copyright on the card is 1886.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A humorous card for printer Richard Do Ran. Printed on front: "Richard Do Ran, fine printing. Wedding and party invitations. Visiting cards, etc. St. Andrew's Hall. Detroit, Mich."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for Farrand & Votey. On front: "Farrand & Votey, high grade pipe & reed organs, Detroit, Mich. Sweden."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

Thorp, Hawley & Co. was a Detroit confection company -- so naturally this card features a happy kiddo enjoying an enormous peppermint stick.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

This ad for Combination Gas Machine Co. depicts the exterior of a house and underground carbureter, the interior of a house showing an air pump, and a man, woman and girl sitting around a table indoors. Printed on front: "Combination gas machine manufactured by the Combination Gas Machine Co., Detroit, Mich. & Windsor, Ont."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

This ad for Walter Buhl & Co. was printed in the shape of a hat. See the next image for the flip side.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A floral ad for the Michigan Seed Co., which was located at 211 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

This ad for Johnson Bros. grocery and meat market is captioned "Jumbo reaches for candy." The copyright is 1882.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for Hull Brothers grocers. Printed on front: "Hull Brothers, fancy grocers. Opera House Block. Detroit, Michigan."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for American Injector Co.'s "patent steam dishwasher." , depicting a woman washing dishes, and holding a pitcher. The company was located at 175 Larned Street W., Detroit, Mich.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for druggist Albert B. Lee and a product called Buckingham's Dye. Printed on the back: "Those who desire to change the color of their beard and mustache to a beautiful brown or black that will not wash off, will find our 'Buckingham's Dye' just the thing and very handy, being in one preparation. It is easy of application, safe and effectual and is rapidly growing in public favor. Full directions on every bottle. Prepared by R.P. Hall & Co., Nashua, N.H. Sold by all druggists."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for Joseph A. Jackson, who apparently sold quite the assortment of things.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

The back of this ad for druggists W.H. Prittie & Co. offers Turkish towels, sponges, imported soaps, perfumes, & other items for sale.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

An ad for "Rothschild's ponies" tobacco.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A Detroit Vinegar Works ad for "pure vinegar, well adadpted to all uses of the table or the family."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

Another ad featuring kittens, this time for the Detroit Heating and Lighting Co. The back of the ad offers "illustrated books, 'Warmth for winter homes' and 'Light for evening hours' which we send free to any who are interested."

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

This ad might seem like it'd be for a seed company, but it was actually for McDonald & Scott, a Detroit grocer.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection

A girl holds a brush to her face in this ad for the American Patent Brush Company in Detroit, Mich. The back of this ad (and some cool typography) can be seen in the next image.

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Image courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection