Vintage Illustrated “Trades Wives” Cards Set

A characterful and slightly unusual set of vintage illustrated cards depicting “trades wives”, each linked to a different occupation, including the baker’s wife, butcher’s wife, painter’s wife, sweep’s wife and more.

Printed in a late Victorian to early 20th century style, with expressive hand coloured illustrations and bold line work, full of personality and period detail.

Each card features a caption beneath the figure, giving a slightly humorous, satirical feel that reflects everyday roles of the time, making them both visually striking and collectible today.

The paper shows honest age, with soft toning, edge wear and small marks consistent with use and storage, adding to their charm and authenticity.

A distinctive set of antique style ephemera, ideal for display or creative use.

Details
set of vintage illustrated cards
Victorian to early 20th century style
printed paper with hand coloured detail
captioned characters (trades wives)
aged condition with wear, marks and soft toning

Repurposing Ideas
perfect for framing or gallery wall displays
ideal for collage, junk journals or mixed media
lovely for scrapbooks or themed paper projects
great for storytelling or character based collections