1989 Dover Flexible Flyer Sled Winter Christmas Trade Card Lauder Collection

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1989 DOVER REPRODUCTION OF ICONIC FLEXIBLE FLYER SLED ADVERTISING CARD - FROM THE PRESTIGIOUS LEONARD LAUDER COLLECTION

DESCRIPTION

This delightful card depicts a charming winter scene featuring the iconic Flexible Flyer sled in action. Three children in colorful Victorian winter attire race down a snow-covered hill on their bright red and wooden Flexible Flyer capturing the joy and excitement of winter recreation at the turn of the century.

The vivid chromolithographic-style printing features a striking blue sky contrasting against pristine white snow with two additional figures and a small evergreen visible in the background. The child in front sports a distinctive red hat with pompom and matching red mittens instantly evoking nostalgic feelings of classic winter holidays.

Bold red script at the top declares 'Flexible Flyer' with the confident tagline 'SAFEST FASTEST BEST' positioned beneath it. The bottom features the iconic Flexible Flyer eagle trademark with retailer information for G.A. SCHWARZ of 1006 Chestnut Street Philadelphia and includes the warning 'UNLESS IT BEARS THIS TRADE MARK IT ISN'T A FLEXIBLE FLYER.'

This card perfectly captures the Golden Age of American advertising when companies first began creating vibrant colorful images to market their products to an eager public. The artistic style authentically represents Victorian/Edwardian commercial illustration with its idealized romanticized depiction of product use.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

While this is a 1989 Dover Publications reproduction it faithfully represents an important piece of American advertising history from approximately 1890-1910. The original would have been among the earliest advertisements for Flexible Flyer sleds which were first patented in 1889 by Samuel Leeds Allen and went on to become one of America's most beloved and enduring winter toys.

G.A. Schwarz mentioned as the retailer was a prominent Philadelphia toy dealer during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This card provides a fascinating glimpse into the retail landscape of Victorian-era America and early toy marketing strategies.

The eagle trademark shown on the card became an enduring symbol for the Flexible Flyer brand throughout the 20th century. This distinctive logo helped establish brand recognition and warned consumers against imitations in an era before strict trademark enforcement.

This reproduction comes from the prestigious Leonard A. Lauder collection one of the world's most significant assemblages of advertising ephemera and postcards. Lauder chairman emeritus of Estée Lauder Companies has donated much of his collection to museums including the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

CONDITION

This 1989 reproduction is in excellent condition as would be expected for a relatively modern card. The colors remain vibrant and true to the original design with the bright reds blues and whites showing no significant fading.

The card shows very minimal corner and edge wear maintaining its crisp edges and corners. There is slight age toning consistent with a card from the 1980s giving it a subtle vintage appeal despite being a reproduction.

The surface is clean and unmarked except for a small blue mark/smudge on the left edge of the back which does not affect the front image. There are no creases tears folds or other significant damage.

The printed text and images remain perfectly clear and legible both on the colorful front and the informational back. The card has clearly been carefully stored for the past three decades preserving its quality and appeal.

AGE/ERA

This is a 1989 Dover Publications reproduction card as clearly indicated by the copyright information on the reverse: 'Flexible Flyer trade card early 20th century. From the collection of Leonard A. Lauder. © 1989 by Dover.'

The original design dates from approximately 1890-1910 during the golden age of chromolithographic advertising trade cards. This period represents the first great flowering of American consumer culture and mass marketing through vibrant printed materials.

Dover Publications was well-known in the 1980s and 1990s for producing high-quality reproductions of vintage ephemera allowing collectors to enjoy historical designs without the fragility and expense of original antiques. This card comes from their 'Chiker: Old-Time Advertising Postcards' series specifically noted on the card back.

Though a reproduction this card is itself now over 30 years old giving it a certain historical value in documenting how the 1980s viewed and appreciated Victorian advertising aesthetics.

RARITY

As a reproduction this card is considerably more common than an original 1890s-1910s Flexible Flyer trade card would be. Dover Publications produced these reproduction cards in reasonable quantities in 1989 for commercial sale.

However over the intervening 30+ years many of these reproduction sets have been broken up lost or damaged. Finding specific cards from the Dover 'Old-Time Advertising Postcards' series in excellent condition has become increasingly challenging as time passes.

For collectors of winter themes sled memorabilia or those specifically interested in the Flexible Flyer brand history this card offers an affordable alternative to the increasingly scarce and prohibitively expensive original Victorian trade cards. Original Flexible Flyer advertising cards from the early 20th century can command prices in the hundreds of dollars when they rarely appear on the market.

This particular reproduction derives additional value from its connection to the Leonard A. Lauder collection one of the most prestigious sources of advertising ephemera in the world. Lauder's collection has been exhibited in major museums and studied by advertising historians.

COLLECTOR'S NOTE

There is something uniquely satisfying about owning pieces that connect us to America's advertising heritage. This card offers an accessible entry point into collecting historical advertising ephemera without the preservation concerns and expense of true Victorian-era items.

For those who collect winter themes Christmas items sledding memorabilia or Flexible Flyer branded items this reproduction allows you to enjoy the distinctive artistic style and historical significance of early advertising. It provides the same visual appeal and historical reference as the original without the fragility and cost.

The card makes a wonderful seasonal display item during winter months evoking nostalgic feelings of classic American winters and childhood joy. Its bright colors and cheerful winter scene make it perfect for holiday decor or framing as part of a winter-themed collection.

Dover's thoughtful reproduction preserves an important piece of advertising history that might otherwise be accessible only to elite collectors and museums. These reproduction cards help keep our collective memory of early American advertising alive for new generations to appreciate.

SHIPPING NOTE

Buy multiple postcards and pay only ONE low shipping cost! I'm happy to combine shipping on any number of postcards or trade cards to save you money.

This card will be carefully packaged in an archival sleeve between rigid cardboard to ensure it arrives safely and in the same condition shown in the photos. I understand the importance of protecting collectible items and take great care in packaging.

DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADD A DELIGHTFUL PIECE OF WINTER ADVERTISING HISTORY TO YOUR COLLECTION!

While not an original Victorian trade card this high-quality reproduction from the Leonard Lauder collection offers a window into America's advertising past and the beloved Flexible Flyer brand that defined winter fun for generations. These Dover reproduction series are themselves becoming increasingly difficult to find as complete sets are broken up and dispersed. Add this charming winter scene to your collection today before it disappears into someone else's holiday display!"

 _gsrx_vers_1715 (GS 9.9.2 (1715))

Offered by Gosla Antiques & Collectibles, purveyors of antiquities, curiosities and collectible wares. Dispatched from Pennsylvania, United States, with tracking.