With the advent of brand names and pre-packaging, the success of any one product amongst the vast array of goods to which the public was now being exposed depended largely upon the effectiveness of the brightly coloured packaging, counter top signs, promotional novelties, booklets and catalogues. Especially popular and effective were the beautifully designed advertising trade cards which were distributed free of charge at point of sale, sent away for through the mails or stuffed into tins and boxes as giveaways. Though unsigned they were, nevertheless, miniature works of art.

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