Before texts, tweets, and swipes, there were calling cards, cartes de visite, and dance cards—the original social media of centuries past. Often dismissed as trivial, these small pieces of ephemera tell a big story: how we connected, flirted, and formed relationships before the digital age. Though fleeting in nature, they offer lasting insight into the rituals and rhythms of personal connection in a world without smartphones.  Socializing in the 2020s may look different, but the impulses behind it are the same as those of more than a century ago. 

   

CALLING CARDS, 1800-1940s

Small cards used to present oneself to others, have various names: calling cards, visiting cards, visiting tickets, and compliment cards. The practice of leaving and receiving a calling card was common in the 18th and 19th centuries, mostly among the wealthy. Used as social accessories, short messages were written on them to express everything from thank-yous to arrivals, departures, greetings, and condolences. Calling cards in F. C. Schang’s collection span a spectrum of styles, from classic and refined to witty and personalized, including playing cards and hand-drawn doodles. Once a marker of wealth and social status, calling cards were first used by the elite to navigate high society and manage their social circles. Over time, their use expanded to include everyday people and shifted toward a more practical means of communication, often sent by mail. These cards eventually replaced by penny postcards and business cards played an important role in creating personal and professional relationships. As society evolved, so did the role of calling cards, with their use gradually fading into history as new forms of communication took their place.

CARTES DE VISITE, mid-19th to early 20th century

Cartes de Visite (CDVs) became popular from 1857 to 1900 and continued into the 1920s. CDVs created a shift in photography, elevating the photographic image to the same intellectual level as the printed word. CDVs featured albumen photographs mounted on cards, making them sturdier for exchange and eventually mailing. They were fast and inexpensive to produce and were often made in multiples, something that other types of portrait photography could not achieve. Photography studios began to emerge, and they used the back of the cards as advertisements for their businesses. Basically the OG selfies, CDVs were 19th-century social media pics minus the filters—meant to be swapped and collected among friends and enthusiasts to keep social ties strong. This interactive practice served as a form of social sharing, helping to establish connections with family, acquaintances, and even people one had never met. 

DANCE CARDS,  1918-1923

The dance card is a fascinating artifact of social life, once essential for navigating the structured and ritualized world of formal dances and balls in the 18th and 19th centuries. They remained popular well into the early 20th century, especially at school dances. Small, decorative, and often equipped with tiny pencils, these cards were worn on the wrist—ready to record the names of those hoping to share a moment on the dance floor. Occasionally, the names of other young women appear as well, adding a layer of intrigue to an already captivating custom. Dance cards offer more than just a schedule; they provide a window into the social choreography of the past, reflecting the connections, intentions, while providing insight into relationships and the dynamics of gender roles. They may belong to another era, but the idea of penciling someone in for a dance still has its charm.