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The Card Case Forum, 2009
A carnet-
In the beginning
It is thought that the practice of leaving one’s card originated in 18th century France. When calling, ladies and gentlemen would write their name on the back of a playing card: ladies used hearts, whilst gentlemen favoured diamonds or spades.
In the late 18th and early 19th century, ‘tablets’ were used. These were the small ivory aide memoire found in carnet de bal and pocket books of the period. A caller would write his or her name on the tablet and it would be conveyed by a servant to the person he or she was visiting. It would then be brought back to the caller with, presumably, a message of some sort.
High society
By 1802 the etiquette of leaving cards had become a complex social manoeuvre, although the practice became truly serious only in the 1820s. By then, personal cards printed with the individual’s details had been introduced.
Visiting was very much a female occupation and was regarded more as a social obligation than as an amusement. 'Manners and Rules of Good Society' published in 1894, explains how “the etiquette of card-
It is thought that the practice of leaving one’s card originated in 18th century France. When calling, ladies and gentlemen would write their name on the back of a playing card: ladies used hearts, whilst gentlemen favoured diamonds or spades.
In the late 18th and early 19th century, ‘tablets’ were used. These were the small ivory aide memoire found in carnet de bal and pocket books of the period. A caller would write his or her name on the tablet and it would be conveyed by a servant to the person he or she was visiting. It would then be brought back to the caller with, presumably, a message of some sort.
High society
By 1802 the etiquette of leaving cards had become a complex social manoeuvre, although the practice became truly serious only in the 1820s. By then, personal cards printed with the individual’s details had been introduced.
Visiting was very much a female occupation and was regarded more as a social obligation than as an amusement. 'Manners and Rules of Good Society' published in 1894, explains how “the etiquette of card-
leaving is a privilege which society places in the hands of ladies to govern and determine their acquaintanceships and intimacies”.
There were many other publications which outlined the rules of calling: the 1834 edition of 'Hints on Etiquette' devoted over three pages to visiting cards. The tradition is also well documented in Mrs Beeton’s 'Book of Household Management'. It recommends that a visitor, when delivering her card, should stay no longer than 15 to 20 minutes.
In periods of mourning, the respectable Victorian lady or gentleman had to navigate yet another set of social conventions which extended to the custom of visiting. Butterick’s etiquette book advised, “Widows’ cards are bordered with black, the exact depth of the border being of course decided by personal taste. Etiquette, however, voices the sentiment of people of good sense and refinement in counselling that if the customary quarter-inch be passed it will only be after careful consideration.”
The rules and tactics employed in visiting evolved to suit changing fashions of card delivery. In 1892 Lady Greville wrote that “… as to card-leaving after dinners or parties, the youth who is up-to-date considers it a perfectly exploded relic of the past”.
There were many other publications which outlined the rules of calling: the 1834 edition of 'Hints on Etiquette' devoted over three pages to visiting cards. The tradition is also well documented in Mrs Beeton’s 'Book of Household Management'. It recommends that a visitor, when delivering her card, should stay no longer than 15 to 20 minutes.
In periods of mourning, the respectable Victorian lady or gentleman had to navigate yet another set of social conventions which extended to the custom of visiting. Butterick’s etiquette book advised, “Widows’ cards are bordered with black, the exact depth of the border being of course decided by personal taste. Etiquette, however, voices the sentiment of people of good sense and refinement in counselling that if the customary quarter-
The rules and tactics employed in visiting evolved to suit changing fashions of card delivery. In 1892 Lady Greville wrote that “… as to card-