Clara Von Faucette:
A Project Aeschylus AR Scavenger Hunt
Tobacco Card Adventure!
From the Duke University Libraries Repository Collections and Archives: "Between 1875 and the 1940s, cigarette companies often included collectible trading cards with their packages of cigarettes. Cigarette card sets document popular culture from the turn of the century, often depicting the period’s actresses, costumes, and sports, as well as offering fascinating insights into mainstream American humor and cultural norms." (https://repository.duke.edu/dc/wdukesons)
These cards were collected by many throughout the country. In the DPC's Tobacco Card Adventure, you will help young Clara Von Faucette, a fictional 10 year old from 1888, whose collection of Tobacco Cards was lost when her parents took her with them as they ran errands around downtown on their day off from work.
Clara had a collection of 12 cards in the W. Duke and Sons "Vehicles of the World" series. She remembers she had all 12 cards with her when she and her parents left their house on Liberty Street by the Golden Belt factory where they work, and still had all 12 when they got on the Trolley at Alston and Main to head downtown. Her first stop off the Trolley was at the corner of Roxboro and Main, and she's pretty sure that's when her cards began falling out of her pockets, as when she got home at the end of the day, she only found holes in her pockets where there should have been cards.
To play, download the Membit App, open the Project Aeschylus Channel and head to the location of the "Start Here" card. When you find it, Clara will tell you about the card, and recount the next part of her trip that day to help you find the next card. Make sure your phone is not silenced and you have the volume up to hear what she has to say. Help her find all twelve of her lost cards while you learn about her, her family, and her life!
Clara Von Faucette's Story
Hi! My name is Clara Von Faucette, and I am 10 years old. I work in the factory with my momma and daddy, and I like to collect cards! You know those cards we put in all the tobacco bags? Well I find the leftovers in the factory and I keep them. I just finished my first set! It was Vehicles of the World and it’s my favorite. Did you know that there’s places where dogs pull carts instead of horses or bulls? I sure didn’t.
But something really bad happened. Last Sunday Momma and Daddy took me downtown to go to church and run some errands. I swear I had all twelve of my cards when we left our house, but when we got home they were all gone! Momma always told me to keep them safe and close so I put them in my favorite pocket of my best pants, but I guess I love that pocket so much that now it’s just a hole. Can you help me find all twelve? I really miss them, they’re my favorite cards!”
Well we started our day by going to church! We hopped on the trolley at Main and Alston and rode it downtown to First Presbyterian Church! We were late so we had to use the side door right off of main street. It’s right next to the big arches of the front door!
After church we went down main street into downtown for our errands! We stopped first at a Bakery to pick up some bread for the week. Mr. William the baker is a good friend of ours, and he let me have a piece of bread with butter for free!
We then went to the next corner. We weren’t going to stop but Momma insisted we at least look at the Jewelry for sale. Daddy asked her why she insists on seeing the elephant today, but I didn’t see any elephants anywhere!
We kept moving down the street and Daddy had to stop at the Rawls New York Cash Store! I’ve never been to New York but if Mr. Rawls’ store is anything like it, it’s pretty boring. Daddy seems to think it’s some pumpkins but I don’t get what the big deal is.
Daddy was taking a while so Momma and I walked to the corner to see a new bookstore while we waited. Books are really cool! They all look so fancy! When I grow up I’m gonna learn how to read.
Daddy caught up with us and we walked to the next corner to the Drug store! We didn’t need anything but I asked Daddy if I could get some candy and I guess he was feeling extra nice today. I got some of Mr. Fralinger’s Famous Saltwater Taffy! I don’t know why it’s famous but it is, it says so on the wrapper.
After that we had to go down to the tobacco warehouses. We don’t work here, but I guess daddy’s boss does and he needed some paperwork or something.
After the warehouses we went back up through downtown to head to the Liberty warehouses for the Sunday Auction! On the way though as we were passing by the big sky scraper I almost got hit by a Buggy! Fortunately Momma pulled me out of the way in time, but she scolded me the whole rest of the walk to the auction.
Fortunately she forgot all about it at the Auction house! I got bored pretty quick though and I think so did Daddy.
Momma didn’t end up getting anything and instead we all decided to walk a little bit further up to the old park where a bunch of guys were playing baseball! Before we got settled in we went to a hot dog stand and bought our lunch!
We watched the game for a while and ate our hot dogs. Pretty soon it was over though, we must have just caught the end of the game, and I couldn’t tell who was on which team sometimes but Daddy said they were really getting Chicagoed, and I think so too.
At the end of the game we got up and we were pretty close to the Beltline train, so we took it down to five points. We had to move pretty quick at five points to catch the next trolley home- we almost missed it but because we shinned around the crowd we caught it just in time!
Well that’s all of the places I can remember! Let me count. One… two… three…yeah that’s all of them! Thank you so much for your help! Well I gotta get going, momma says I have a long day of work tomorrow but I feel like that’s always true. Thank you again! I hope you have a good day!