Trade Card for the Larkin Idea, Larkin Soap Company, 1900

As color printing gained momentum in the late 19th century, trade cards became a major means of advertising goods and services. In 1885, the Larkin Soap Company developed a marketing strategy known as "The Larkin Idea," which offered giveaways with the purchase of particular items from the company's mail order catalog. This trade card promotes and explains "The Larkin Idea."