How do you clean the engraved silver?

Don't use liquid polish. Liquid pastes dry white in the deep recesses of the engraving and ruin the appearance. Brush out any accumulated dust first with a soft natural bristle brush. Gentle rubbing with a silver cloth brings up the high spots while leaving a sharp contrast in the cuts.

What size cards fit in these?

Most hold Victorian visiting cards which were smaller than modern business cards. Measure the internal dimensions carefully before buying if you plan to use it today.

I have heard that some of these cases were made specifically for holding gentlemen's calling cards and others for ladies, is that right?

Broadly speaking, men used smaller rectangular cases designed to slip neatly into a waistcoat pocket without ruining the line of the cloth. Their cards were typically smaller too. Women carried slightly larger examples, often in a reticule or purse. These larger antique silver card cases sometimes incorporated a small notebook and pencil for recording social engagements.

The hinge on the lid feels a bit stiff when I try to push it open, should I put some oil on it?

Don't apply oil or household lubricants to silver hinges. They attract grit and dust which will grind away the soft metal over time and damage the joint. A stiff hinge usually means the silver pin is slightly bent or the knuckles have distorted. A working silversmith can often realign the hinge knuckles and replace the pin safely.

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Antique Silver Card Cases

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Small, flat, rectangular silver boxes designed to slip into a pocket or reticule. They were built specifically to hold visiting cards during formal social calls in the nineteenth century.