“ England followed the lead of France, and visiting cards became a universal fashion in Europe towards the close of the 18th century. But though in almost every European country there are variations in the size and shape of the card and the way of describing the quality of the person whom it represents, the modern tendency is everywhere in favour of simplicity and the avoidance of ostentation.
A valuable collection of visiting cards is that of the Gabinetto della Stampe in Rome and the Museo Civico in Venice. ”

“ Under the reign of Louis XIV., however, the fashion appears to have become firmly established in France. Small strips of paper were at first employed for the purpose of the communication, but gradually they attained a more elaborate finish and execution. ”