Show Card Finisher

[Mayan]

Hello All

I was wondering if anyone can shed any light on the above occupation. It appears on the census in 1911 for my relation Mary Ann Martin. The only links to Cards I can find appear to be to do with weaving or Mills but this is in Lambeth and I am not aware of a large weaving community there.

Could it be something to do with advertising for shops etc.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mayan

[stanmapstone]

In "A Dictionary of Occupational Terms" there are show card designer, show card maker, show card mounter, and show card writer. I assume a show card finisher could be the same as a show card mounter, who fixes printed sheets onto show cards, or possibly a show card writer who paints prices and descriptions of goods by hand, on show cards for window or shop display.

Stan

[stanmapstone]

From the OED show-card   n. a card containing a tradesman's advertisement of goods, etc.; also, a card on which patterns are exhibited in a shop.

Stan

[Mayan]

Stan

Thanks for your quick reply and the information, it is most helpful.

Mayan