The prevailing shape of cards for women is nearly square (about 2 1/2 x
3 inches). A fine dull-finished card-board of medium weight and
stiffness is used.
A man's card is smaller, and narrower proportionately; and is of
slightly heavier card-board.
The color is pearl white, not cream. Tinted cards are not admissible.
The engraving is plain script, or elaborate text; as the fashion may
for the time decree.
The responsibility of furnishing the correct style of card rests with
the engraver, whose business it is to know the ruling fashion of the
day. Any one may have an elegant card by intrusting the choice to a
first-class stationer. But it is not half the battle to secure an
elegant card. An elegant use of the card distinguishes the
well-informed in social usage. This distinction shows when the
distribution of cards begins.