Watchmaker advertising Buffalo Soap, made by the R. W. Bell Manufacturing Co.
One of a set of stock trade cards printed by Gies & Co. and showing various occupations. There are two separate sets, one with a blue panel at the bottom and the other with a tan panel. There are 12 cards in the tan set, and 12 cards in the blue set.
Each of these cards shows an "icon" in the upper left or right corner that is symbolic of the portrayed occupation. In this case, the symbol is clearly a pocket watch. One wonders, however, what uses the wrench and hatchet were put to. Perhaps they are meant to be satirical.
On the reverse of this card is "Copy of a Love Letter" in which the writer implores his beloved to accompany him to the Toledo Fair, and also manages to plug Bell's Buffalo Soap.
This card was printed by Gies & Co., Buffalo, N.Y., and is shown at 85 percent of its actual size.