In 1777, Demaison, a Parisian printer engraved cards with greetings
on them. Demaison hoped that individuals would use the cards to
send brief messages through the mail. To his chagrin, however,
people feared that strangers might read their messages, and did
not embrace this new form of postal communication. 2
Precursors to the postcard include
eighteenth-century playing cards, visiting cards, and engraved
letter paper. These forms were similar to postcards in their size
and use of illustrations. The utilization of illustrated paper
for correspondence became popular in early nineteenth century.
Small, engraved images decorated the tops of sheets of writing
paper, setting a precedent for using images in conjunction with
written communications. Visiting cards were used much as we use
business cards today. The cards were left behind at a house where
one had been received as a guest. Measuring approximately 2 1/2
by 3 1/2 inches, the cards were small in size. The first visiting
cards had a border around the edge. Within the border, the visitor
would write his/her name in the middle of the card. As these mementos
grew more popular, images were also printed on them. Among the
popular motifs for these cards were depictions of ancient ruins,
references not lost on those educated in the classics.