Victorian era amusement was a thing all its own, and I can't say I always understand the humor! This is an early set of "Comical Conversation Cards" produced by McLaughlin Brothers, New York--I can't find a match out there for this set, but I believe 1860s. (The company was founded in 1858, and had expanded to 30 Beekman Street by 1863). Conversation cards like this were made for parlor play, especially useful as aids in courtship. I believe a holder of a card would read the question, and then someone else would read an answer from another card, making for amusing juxtapositions and silly sorts of sense. These are fairly rare for featuring (quite wonderful) images on them, which themselves advance a sense of absurdity. I can't say whether this is a complete set, but there are 30+ of them, with original box.
Box 3 3/16" x 2 3/4". Cards in very good condition, with just light toning and stains her and there, minor. Box is missing interior sleeve and shows hand-sewn mends to the edges, to the good in my opinion.
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