This business card belonged to Guccio Gucci, the founder of the now world-renowned Italian fashion house. Annis received it during her visit to Florence in 1929. At the time, Gucci’s shop was known for its high-quality leather goods, which he sold not only in Italy but also to large stores in the United States, such as Marshall Field in Chicago and Bullocks in Los Angeles. This card represents a fascinating moment in history before Gucci became the global luxury brand we know today. The address listed on the card is the location of the original Gucci shop in Florence.
The back of the card has text, written in pencil, that reads “Piattzo Victoria” – but it’s unclear what this is in reference to. There were many Piazza Vittoria’s in Italy, but none in or near Florence. This does not appear to be written in Annis’s handwriting.
