Data Source

National Museum of American History

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.

date made

1957

Credit Line

Bloomingdale, Alfred

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

Object Name

credit card

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Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection

American Enterprise

Coins, Currency and Medals

Exhibition

American Enterprise

Exhibition Location

National Museum of American History

ID Number

NU.72.66.110

catalog number

72.66.110

accession number

301409

serial number

57922

place made

United States