Collecting VTC's by City

[Dennis Marr]

Is there anyone else out there who collects Victorian Trade Cards by city of issue? I came onto these little gems in mid-2007 and was immediately captivated by them. Unlike most (?) collectors, who seem to specialize in particular types of product advertisements, design elements, etc., I am attempting to collect as many VTC's as I can from merchants in Troy, NY. This once-bustling little city, a cradle of the Industrial Revolution, was apparently a hotbed of issuance for VTC's. In just under 18 months I have acquired 300+ cards from over 180 different merchants. Not knowing what the universe of these might be, I have no idea where I am, completion-wise. May do a book about them when I think I've exhausted the collecting end of things.

I'm curious if anyone else collects in this manner.

[Bev Owens]

That sounds like a really cool collection. I'll look and see if I've got any VTC's from Troy, NY and let you know. I think it is neat that you are concentrating on a particular place instead of product - it makes for a much more interesting collection.

I've had customers in the past who collected advertising from a particular city or State but no one ever mentioned they were collecting only the Victorian Trade Cards from an area.

Now you need to share some pics with us!

[Dennis Marr]

Nice to hear from you, Bev. I've been a genealogical/family history researcher here in Rensselaer Co., NY for many years, and had never come across these VTC's until last year. I just joined your site yesterday and am still learning my way around....will be glad to share some pictures when I can. I have also collected many Troy artifacts over the years (medals, tokens, etc.), but these VTC's really struck a chord with me.

Dennis

[Frank DeFreitas]

Sounds like collecting via city could lead to a few very nice exhibitions.