Regency Era Calling Card Cases

Sometimes research leads down a rabbit hole that makes you wonder, "why did I not know this?"

This snippet is from the Historical Hussies blog about calling cards, but I was intrigued because I'd never read anything about the actual carrying cases for those cards. And I am clueless why I never thought to look it up before.

Quality calling cards were made from a high-quality paper, often plain as ornamentation on a card was considered to be poor taste until later in the 19th century and they were engraved. They were kept in beautiful cases, which during the Regency era, were primarily of filigree, leather and tortoiseshell, but later in the century became more elaborate—ivory, tortoiseshell and woodwork.

Late in the Victorian era, they were sometimes painted with views of castles or scenery. A gentleman’s card case was slightly smaller than a lady’s since he had to carry it in his pocket.

Observation

 I'm writing Book Four and Book Five of The Infamous Forresters. Oliver's book (hopefully you are familiar with him if you've read Love Me Once) along with Nicolas's Book, who you've barely heard of...

So what is my observation? I've written these books thinking they were going to be about these alpha males (which they are) who conquered their worlds (which they have) but I have been pleasantly surprised by the women I have been writing.

As a whole, they are dynamic, independent women, toeing the line between propriety and their more than slight desires to be something other than what society wants them to be. And I love that the Forresters have been willing and are attracted to women who aren't the typical ton debutantes.

Nicolas and Oliver have been especially smitten. The words are just falling on the page!

Pics of Salisbury, England