The 19th century rules of calling, or visiting, helped to distinguish between people of different social classes. These elaborate rituals varied over time and place, but those who wanted to move out of the lower or middle class to a higher social rank had to learn and follow the rules in order to be socially accepted. The calling card, or visiting card, was an important part of these rituals. The calling card was left at homes or sent to individuals for various social purposes and many complicated rules governed its use.
Almost every etiquette book of the 19th and early 20th century addressed the rules of calling and calling cards.
From Thomas Hill. Hill’s Manual of Social and Business Forms. Chicago: Hill Standards Book Co., 1888, 152-53.
These sample business and address cards from the 19th century could introduce a neat activity for elementary students. Students can compare and contrast to modern business cards and also create a pretend business/address card for a person they are studying from the 19th century.