The Story of Clipper Ship Sailing Cards.

The article discusses the use of dispatch cards to advertise voyages by clipper ships. The author comments that the cards were distributed by messengers who would deliver them to shipping offices and merchants. He comments on the scarcity of cards due to their disposal after voyages departed and discusses the design of cards, which often featured illustrations and headlines praising the ship's qualities and offering information on its officers. The naming of vessels and the inclusion of figureheads on ships are commented on. Cards offered by the shipping firms Henry W. Peabody and Company and Samuel Stevens and Company are described.