These are Victorian trade cards -which I blogged about some time ago. The top one, "Brooks Spool Cotton" happens to be an image that I live with everyday. I have a metal repro-sign hanging on the wall of my kitchen. It makes me smile when I make my coffee in the morning. The trade cards for the sewing industry are among my favorites. Here's one for J & P Coats thread featuring cats teasing a vicious dog (bottom image). Right up my alley! 
