Friday, March 29, 2019

Paper Trail- Social Codes

Visiting cards say so much more than just their owner’s name. The second most obvious information on a card was marital status and age. Middle age or married men always included the prefix “Mr.” before their name. Younger unmarried men usually did not. Widows and wives always placed “Mrs.” before their name, while most young unmarried ladies used “Miss”. Married couples could share a visiting card, but always under the husband’s name. Grown but unmarried daughters living at home were often listed on their mother’s card and accompanied them on visits.


The French developed a code of two-letter abbreviations scribbled on their cards too quickly indicate their intentions for the visit.  The English enthusiastically adopted these codes and kept the French terminology.  The most commonly used abbreviations were:

P.P.  (pour presenter)- I would like to make your acquaintance
P.F. (pour féliciter)- I wish to offer my congratulations
P.R. (pour remercier)- Thank you
P.C. (pour condoléance)- Sorry for your loss
P.P.C. (pour prendre congé)- I'm leaving. Goodbye

Folding a card in a specific manner before its delivery also sent extra messages. Folding it in half showed the visiting card was for the household’s entire family. A folded upper right corner indicated the card had been delivered in person by its owner and not by a servant. Folding down the upper left corner meant it was a congratulatory visit, while folding the lower left corner meant condolences. Finally, a fold on the lower right corner showed you wanted to visit before you left for a long time.

Even the style, typography, and fabrication of the card could give a favorable or unfavorable impression of its bearer. The most prestigious cards were engraved, then those professionally handwritten, and last those simply but elegantly printed. While expensive, the lithographic process gave visiting cards more intricate designs and colors, although too much decoration was considered garish in certain social circles or worse, common advertising.


Next week we’ll look at the etiquette and art of business cards, how they work in the rules of society, and a few more examples from Paper Trail.


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