Brunch History at Midland Center for the Arts

Please join the talented staff members of the William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan, Jakob Dopp and Sierra Laddusaw, to explore the Gerald T. and Charlotte B. Maxson Ephemera Collection. Gerald “Jerry” and Charlotte Maxson of Midland collected Victorian Trade Cards. The heyday for Victorian trade cards was from 1876 to 1901. The cards were primarily targeted at women and children. Retailers ordered them to advertise their goods and distributed them directly to consumers. The front side displayed random, colorful images of children, animals, people, and occasionally retail products, while the back of the card had the name of the retailer. The Maxson collection contains some 5,000 pieces of this unique and cool marketing history. Join the staff of the Clements Library to learn about this collection and their professional care of it.