19th Century Printing Collateral Ephemera -- Collection of Twenty-Seven (27) Items Related to the American Printing and Publishing Between 1847-1900
United States: 1847-1900. A collection of twenty-seven (27) items related to peripheral corners of the American publishing industry, comprised largely of ephemera, giving insight into the business between the years of 1847 and 1900. Includes advertising ephemera such as trade cards, catalogues, and even an ink blotter, as well as business related material such as manuscript letters on illustrated letterhead. Would make an excellent class set for teaching undergraduate or graduate students about publishers, printers, and booksellers in 19th century America, and how modern historians can learn about the profession through ephemeral evidence surviving today. Businesses represented range from job printers and bookbinders to stationers and makers of ink powder, paper boxes, and engravers. The items are listed below, and have been grouped loosely by ephemera "type" (e.g. trade cards, catalogues, etc.). In total there are twenty-seven (27) items.
TRADE CATALOGUES (3 items)
"An Outline of Procter & Collier Service". Cincinnati, Ohio: Procter & Collier, n.d. Single vol. (8.25" by 8"), pp. 29, [3], photo-illus. in original printed light brown wrps. Photos and description of the company's advertising and merchandising services (e.g. media, copy, art, printing).
Illustrated bifolium advertising The Lowell Book-Support. Lowell, MA: The Lowell Book-Support Company, n.d. Measures 8.5" by 5.25" with image of library shelves with the bookend product being used, testimonials within.
"Coe's Gilding Wheels". Providence, RI: W.H. Coe Mfg. Co., c.1900. Single vol. (6.25" by 3.5"), pp. 4 price list, in original printed and embossed green wrps. With sales pitch letter from the company typewritten on illustrated letterhead dated Dec. 5, 1900 measuring approx. 7.25" by 8.5".
LETTERHEAD/BILLHEAD (5 items)
Manuscript letter on engraved letterhead for Cincinnati company Ehrgott & Krebs, steam lithographers and printers. Dated Aug.10, 1874. Content of letter addresses a customer about drafts of a project in process. Measures approx. 9" by 5.75".
Manuscript letter on illustrated letterhead for H.H. Collins Ink Eradicator Company of New York, NY, 1890s. Lacking first leaf. Pink ink stamp of "Office & Salesroom" Department of a New York manufactory. Measures approx. 9" by 5.75".
Manuscript receipt on billhead of George H. Whitney, "Bookseller, Stationer and Blank-Book Manufacturer", Providence, RI. Dated April 6, 1863, measures approx. 4.5" by 7.75".
Manuscript receipt on illus. billhead with hand colored image of books for Thos. W. Odell, Blank Book Manufacturer and publisher of legal blanks, Dayton, Ohio. Dated Dec. 18, 1878, measures approx. 4.75" by 8.5".
Manuscript receipt on chromolithographed billhead illus. with image of book, for B.F. Wade & Co., "Printers, Blank-Book Mfrs. and Stationers", n.pl., dated March 5 1877. Measures approx. 5.25" by 8.25".
BOOKSELLER'S TICKETS/LABELS (4 items)
Printed label/bookseller's ticket for R.C. Root, Anthony & Co., "Bank Stationers Account Book Manufacturers, Printers Lithographers and Engravers", New York, NY, n.d. Measures 2.5" by 3.75".
Printed label/bookseller's ticket for George F. Nesbitt & Co. "Stationers, Printers and Lithographers" of New York, NY, n.d. Measures 2.5" by 3.75".
Printed label/bookseller's ticket for Woeltje & Cutting, "Stationers, Printers, Manufacturers of Fine Accont Books" of New York, NY, n.d. Measures 2" by 3".
Printed label/bookseller's ticket of T. Watts, "Librarian" at "The Cheapest Store in the World for Books, Prints and Oil Paintings", New York, NY, March 1847. Measures 1.25" by 1.5".
TRADE AND BUSINESS CARDS (12 Items)
Photographic trade card of Boston photographer Taber & Co., successors to Tyler & Co., Boston, MA, n.d. Measures 1.75" by 2.5".
Comic illus. trade card for Patent Adjustable Book Cover Co. of Boston, MA, n.d. Measures approx. 3" by 4.25".
Business card for William Ulman of Pictorial Book Bindery, Boston, MA, n.d. Measures approx. 2.25" by 4".
Novelty trade card die-cut in shape of a pan from crepe paper with business contact information for J. Baird of Boston, MA, n.d., maker of "paper Boxes, Fancy Boxes, Pictures, Floral Cards, Japanese Fans, Parasols, Napkins, Panels, Easels." Measures approx. 3.5" by 6". Silhouette image of gardener on one side, also advertising brand of candy.
Illustrated trade card on green paper advertising E.S. Curtis; Chemical Ink Powder. N.pl., n.d., Measures approx. 2.75" by 5.5", image of books and inkwell.
Trade card for Moravian Publication Concern of Bethlehem, PA, n.d. Measures 2.5" by 4.25".
Trade card for Enterprise Printing Works Book and Job Printing, New Orleans, LA, n.d. Measures 2.5" by 4.5"
Business card of Ernest R. Gee, vendor of "Sporting Books and Prints", New York, NY, n.d. Illustrated with hunting vignettes. Measures 3.5" by 4.25".
Business card for Hagar & Company, dealers in "Paper, Twine and Envelopes", of Boston, MA, n.d., small cut out photograph of gentleman on verso, card measures approx. 2.5" by 4".
Business card for Harry W. Hammersley, Dealer in "Laughton's raised Surface Stamp Pads, Waterproof Stencils, Marking Inks and Outfits". Westfield, MA, n.d. Measures 2.75" by 4.25".
Trade card for Secombe M'fg Company, "proprietors and Manufacturers of Holt's Patent Marking Wheel", a small self-inking printing machine for different surfaces. Philadelphia, PA, c.1866. Measures approx. 2.75" by 4.25".
Business card for James Hall, "Stencil Plate and Steel Letter Cutter", Boston, MA, n.d. Measures 2.25" by 3.5".
MISC. ADVERTISING EPHEMERA (3 items)
Advertising bookmark for Harper & Brothers, New York, NY, with 1885 list of publications and December 1885 calendar on front. Printed bifolium 5.25" by 2.75".
Advertising "Ten Year Calendar" celluloid volvelle self-standing calendar measuring approx. 4.75" by 3.25", advertising Sadler-Rowe Company Educational Publishers, Baltimore, MD, 1898.
Advertising blotter for Lucius R. Hazen, "Wholesale & Retail Bookseller, Stationer, Newsdealer and Bookbinder" with "Penmanship taught" of Middletown, CT, n.d. Measures 4" by 8", with image of student at desk on front. Very good. Minor flaws include light dust soiling, toning, the occasional spot or short tear. Some pencil markings, tape repairs.
Price: $3,000.00
Item #20000264