Heinz Pickle Die Cut Victorian Advertising Cards

Publication: Privately printed, nd (circa 1900), Pittsburgh

Three Victorian-era pickle-shaped trade cards used to advertise Heinz many products. 5" x 2" at the widest part. "First handed out in 1893, 25 different designs with 39 variations have been documented. The die-cut pickle cards were made of standard trade card thin cardboard stock. Each pictured a little girl with a product jar, plate, or package; or just with the inset of a lovely woman. Naturally, the card's background, which is of a pickle, is green colored. They also came embossed in such a way as to give the impression of the natural groves found on the real thing. Some of the products advertised on the backside, which contains a message promoting the company, are no longer with us..." Heinz's pickle cards continued to be made up to 1904, when they were phased out. Most likely, the 1904 advertising pictorial postcard set of factory scenes that was distributed to visitors at the main Pittsburgh plant, took their place.The company also produced a series of postcard-size trade cards picturing children with baskets of their many products. The sweet faced children were placed in parks and woods. These apparently were first introduced in ad campaigns around 1900 and were in use for at least another decade. Over a dozen different illustrations are known to collectors." The first trade card advertises Heinz's Preserved Fruits and Chili Sauce; the second trade card advertises Heinz Peach Preserves and the last trade card advertises Heinz Baked Beans with Pork and Tomato Sauce. Very good condition.