Object Details
Description
The Esquire Club Credit Card and Directory Guide was issued by Esquire magazine beginning in 1956. It functioned similarly to the Diners’ Club card, allowing consumers to pay for meals and hotels with credit instead of cash at locations involved in the cards plan. The Diners’ Club card helped popularize credit card payments during the 1950s, and its success prompted other companies to issue their own cards to capitalize on the trend. As the credit card business grew, it also began to consolidate, with Diners’ Club acquiring Esquire Club in 1958 to compete with American Express. This card belonged to Alfred Bloomingdale, President of Diners’ Club.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Bloomingdale, Alfred
date made
1957
ID Number
NU.72.66.110
catalog number
72.66.110
accession number
301409
serial number
7922
Object Name
credit card
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 5.7 cm x 9.6 cm x .3 cm; 2 1/4 in x 3 25/32 in x 1/8 in
place made
United States
See more items in
Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection
American Enterprise
Coins, Currency and Medals
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1445454