John C. Onions trade card

Pictorial 19th century chromolithographed trade card of John C. Onions [John Collingwood Onions] depicting elaborate ornamental library bellows in pink ink. Trader details in green ink. Printed copy of complimentary letter from the French Emperor on the reverse.

Transcription of obverse: ORNAMENTAL LIBRARY BELLOWS. IN THE POSSESSION OF THE IMPERIAL MAJESTY THE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH. DESIGNED AND WROUGHT BY JOHN C. ONIONS, FORGE-BELLOWS MANUFACTURER TO HER MAJESTY'S HON. BOARD OF ORDNANCE, BRADFORD STREET, BIRMINGHAM. [OVER.

Transcription of reverse: AUTOGRAPH LETTER FROM THE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH TO MR. JOHN C. ONIONS. [TRANSLATION] "Palace of the Tuileries, May 23, 1854. Sire- I accept with pleasure the product of your industry, to which the perfection of workmanship, no less than the rarity of the material, gives a particular value : and I feel much the graceful attention you have shown in presenting it to me. Receive, then, Sire, with my thanks, and as a slight mark of my satisfaction, the Gold Medal with my Portrait thereon, which accompanies this letter. To Mr. John C. Onions, Bradford Street, Birmingham."