Taken from the wonderful article entitled:A Survey of Nineteenth Century Rhode Island Billheads by Russell J. Desimone. I have linked to it. You can read it for free through Google Scholar.
Evolution of Billheads:
1800-1830 - Billheads were mainly in manuscript form. Looked very similar to what some might think of as receipts. Billheads from this time period are rare. These billheads tend to be on slips of paper and unevenly cut.
1830s - The start of pre-printed billheads and some use of graphics.
1840s and 1850s - Billheads started to appear in color usually light grey to medium blue. The printing was higher in quality and there was a greater use of graphics. An example of a billhead is below. The company was Henry Nazro. When Wisconsin was new, Henry J. Nazro and brother opened a medium sized hardware store in Milwaukee. By fair dealing an judicious advertising they called together customers from every portion of the State. As the State increased in population their business has increased in magnitude, until it is second to none in the West. They have, during the two past seasons, built a block of stores unsurpassed by any establishment west of New York . . The four stories and basement of this mammoth building are filled with every thing in the hardware line, from a cambric needle to a crowbar, from a fish-hook to anchor, mill saws, agricultural implements or any thing else in their line that can be found in an American or European market. (From The Wisconsin Farmer, and Northwestern Cultivator pub 1856 p. 232).
1860-1880s - The hey day of graphic billheads. Businesses began using billheads as a way of advertising their products and services. These are some of the most sought after billheads today. Below is a picture of the header of the billhead for John Nazro. John was the brother of Henry and took over the business in 1860.
John Nazo . . . was born at Cape Haytien, a seaport town on the island of Haiti in 1826. His parents returned to Boston when Mr. Nazro was about two years old. Here he resided until February, 1847, when he removed to Milwaukee. . . He was a bookkeeper with Nazro and King of Milwaukee for one year. In May, 1848, he bought out JC Cramer & Co., dealers in hardware, and started in business under the firm John Nazro, jun. and Co. In May, 1850, he united with HJ Nazro. In May 1854, HJ Nazro left Milwaukee to reside in New York, leaving the management of the business, which was then considered large, with him. In May, 1860, the name of the firm was changed to John Nazro & Co. Two years later he became the sole proprietor.
Notice the building has remained the same for both billheads.
1890s and beyond - Billheads became more modern looking. More type faces and less graphics.
Evolution of Billheads:
1800-1830 - Billheads were mainly in manuscript form. Looked very similar to what some might think of as receipts. Billheads from this time period are rare. These billheads tend to be on slips of paper and unevenly cut.
1830s - The start of pre-printed billheads and some use of graphics.
1840s and 1850s - Billheads started to appear in color usually light grey to medium blue. The printing was higher in quality and there was a greater use of graphics. An example of a billhead is below. The company was Henry Nazro. When Wisconsin was new, Henry J. Nazro and brother opened a medium sized hardware store in Milwaukee. By fair dealing an judicious advertising they called together customers from every portion of the State. As the State increased in population their business has increased in magnitude, until it is second to none in the West. They have, during the two past seasons, built a block of stores unsurpassed by any establishment west of New York . . The four stories and basement of this mammoth building are filled with every thing in the hardware line, from a cambric needle to a crowbar, from a fish-hook to anchor, mill saws, agricultural implements or any thing else in their line that can be found in an American or European market. (From The Wisconsin Farmer, and Northwestern Cultivator pub 1856 p. 232).
1860-1880s - The hey day of graphic billheads. Businesses began using billheads as a way of advertising their products and services. These are some of the most sought after billheads today. Below is a picture of the header of the billhead for John Nazro. John was the brother of Henry and took over the business in 1860.
John Nazo . . . was born at Cape Haytien, a seaport town on the island of Haiti in 1826. His parents returned to Boston when Mr. Nazro was about two years old. Here he resided until February, 1847, when he removed to Milwaukee. . . He was a bookkeeper with Nazro and King of Milwaukee for one year. In May, 1848, he bought out JC Cramer & Co., dealers in hardware, and started in business under the firm John Nazro, jun. and Co. In May, 1850, he united with HJ Nazro. In May 1854, HJ Nazro left Milwaukee to reside in New York, leaving the management of the business, which was then considered large, with him. In May, 1860, the name of the firm was changed to John Nazro & Co. Two years later he became the sole proprietor.
Notice the building has remained the same for both billheads.1890s and beyond - Billheads became more modern looking. More type faces and less graphics.
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