Biedermeier cards

H.F. Muller, “A Rose in Bloom”, ca. 1820, Austria, hand-colored engraving, 3”x 4”, pull-tab mechanical (#4978)

Some of the earliest movable cards were made primarily in Vienna, Austria, and to a lesser extent in France, during the first quarter of the 19th century. These were commercially made and printed using copper engraving on a sheet of stiff rag paper and hand-colored . The parts were then die-cut out and hand assembled, with novel mechanics utilizing a pull tab and silk thread tied into knots to hold the parts together. The back of the card was blank and often had an inscription and date from the owner to the recipient.

This movable Biedermeier card has hand-colored engraving, printed in Austria by H.F. Muller, ca. 1820. When the tab is pulled at the top, a rosebud turns into a full bloom. Text in German reads:" I bring you my best wishes from the purest desire of my heart. This little flower speaks faithfully and truly"

When rose is opened, the hidden message is revealed: " You that I sincerely love."