48 full-length figures from a single 1887 chromolithograph card series, Occupations for Women — every card a woman shown at a trade, profession, uniformed post or pastime, in bright costume color on a plain ground. The whole series was drawn by one hand and printed in one shop, so all 48 sit together on a page.

The occupations

Trades & crafts

Apothecary — holding a medicine bottle up to the light, a second bottle in hand
Apprentice — the cobbler’s apprentice, carrying a finished boot in each hand
Hairdresser — standing beside a bentwood salon chair, towel over her arm
Miner — in a helmet with a pick and lantern, leaning on a rock
Fisherman — rod over one shoulder, a fresh catch dangling from her hand
Hunter — shotgun in hand, game bag at her hip, a dog at her feet
Painter — palette and brushes in hand, in a yellow smock and beret
Photographer — standing behind a wooden bellows camera on its tripod
Sculptor — at her modeling stand, chisel raised to a small figure
Servant — a maid in cap and apron, carrying a filled glass on the go
Sweep — the chimney sweep in soot-black, coiled rope and brush at her side
Journalist — at her writing desk, pen in hand, mid-sentence

Professions & public service

Commercial Traveller — the traveling saleswoman, hat in hand, sample case at her feet
Conductor — a streetcar conductor in numbered cap and jacket, fare punch ready
Custom House Officer — opening a traveler’s trunk for inspection
Door Keeper — in a fur-trimmed cape with a tall ceremonial staff
Lawyer — in a black gown, brief under her arm
Minister — in clerical black with a sash of office and medal
Physician — the doctor with her medical bag and a red book
Postman — holding out a letter, mail pouch at her hip
Scholar — hand raised, declaiming, a book tucked under her arm
Teacher — at the lectern, pointing at the lesson
Tourist — with field glasses raised and an alpenstock, out sightseeing

Uniforms & parade

Bandmaster — baton raised, leading the band
Bodyguard — in a plumed shako and scarlet tunic
Captain — a ship’s captain with telescope on her shoulder, at the rail
Commissioner — the street porter with a basket on her arm and a parcel on her shoulder
Drummer — a drummer with snare drum and sticks
Fireman — in a fire helmet with axe and coiled hose
Gendarme — a French police officer in cocked hat, rifle at her side
General — in a cocked hat with epaulettes and sword
Herald — in a tabard, holding the herald’s staff
Hussar — a cavalry hussar in braided jacket, sword at her hip
Imperial Counsellor — a court official in red coat and powdered wig, reading a dispatch
King of the Amazons — crowned, in ermine-trimmed robes of state
Policeman — in a green uniform and helmet, truncheon in hand
Postillion — the coach rider with her post horn and whip
Ulan — a lancer in the square-topped czapka cap

Sport & stage

Aeronaut — the balloonist, holding the basket rope
Athlete — in a leopard-print leotard, holding a kettlebell weight
Boat Racer — in a rowing singlet with oar and cap
Clown — in polka dots and a tufted cap, with her hoop
Cyclist — standing beside a high-wheel bicycle
Dandy — the fashionable gentleman in striped trousers, cane and cigar
Fencing Master — with foil, glove and wire mask
Gymnast — swinging a pair of Indian clubs
Highwayman — in a plumed hat and cape, pistol drawn
Jockey — in striped racing silks, whip in hand, leaning on the rail

What’s in the pack

48 transparent PNG cutouts, cleaned and brightened, about 2,200–2,500 px tall
48 full-card scans (JPEG) with the original printed border
A SOURCES.txt in each part listing the museum object number for every file
Four ZIP downloads (about 230 MB in all), split to match the four groups above

A natural fit for vintage and curiosity shops, market signage, stickers, tags, greeting cards, and any brand with a playful Victorian streak.

License

Included with every Ephemera Exchange membership. Use the files in personal and commercial work: products, packaging, tags and labels, signage, social media and advertising. You can’t resell or redistribute the files themselves. Read the full license.

Previews are watermarked and reduced in size. Member downloads are full resolution with no watermark.

People

People Pack No. 1: 1887 Occupations for Women