The Ted Croll Victorian Era Dental Advertising Trade Card Collection

For over 150 years, trade cards have been cherished as collector's items, with Victorian-era dental trade cards being particularly prized for their historical and artistic significance. Among the most notable collectors of these artifacts is Dr. Ted Croll, a distinguished pediatric dentist who has dedicated a half a century to curating an extensive collection. In 2024, he generously donated his entire assemblage to the NYU College of Dentistry, ensuring its preservation for future scholarship. This paper examined the distinctive nature of Croll's Collection, its systematic organization, and its enduring value in advancing historical research and understanding within the field of the history of dentistry.