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The great majority of trade cards printed in the late nineteenth century advertised household items, promoting everything from patent medicines, cosmetic products, and packaged foods to wringers, sewing machines and lawn mowers. Often trade cards introduced the public to the idea of using factory-made products, such as cooked canned meats, which had never been made or used at home. Various new marketing techniques were employed to promote the growing range of products. Testimonials, premium offers, and trademarks appeared on cards, stimulating brand-name recognition and continued use of a particular product. Special novelty cards and cards issued in series were produced to encourage card collecting, in turn promoting product consumption.
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Charter Oak Lawn Mower. ca. 1885.
Schumacher and Ettinger, lithographers. 
Soapine.
Kendall Mfg. Co., Providence, R.I. ca. 1885.
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