Another way to narrow done your collecting areas is to collect billheads based on the graphics (or lack thereof) on the document. In the early 19th century, few billheads had graphics and most were in manuscript form (i.e. handwriting only no printing). However, keep in mind that UK billheads did have graphics. As printers became more sophisticated and more printing houses opened, graphics made there way onto billheads. From DeSimone’s article on Rhode Island billheads, early graphics typically fell into three categories: products, services and views. DeSimone notes that the most popular products shown were stoves, ranges and furniture. The most popular services shown were undertakers, blacksmiths and coal dealers.
As far as views, the most popular depiction was of the business premises. This is a great area to collect. I will have some examples in the next post of places of business. Another view involved the company showing off their factories. These are a little harder to find in 19th century billheads. Finally, hotel and resorts depicted their facilities - again in the 19th century - theses are difficult to find and generally command high prices. Large business buildings also command higher prices than the smaller scale graphics.
One category of graphics that DeSimone fails to touch on is what I call the “signboard” graphic. That is a framed list of goods and services provided by the billhead merchant. Sometimes the signboard also has a small graphic inside of it. Signboards can be plain lines, or a more elaborate design. Additionally, you might find outlines in color.
Finally, there are some rarer graphics that appear - patriotric graphics are scarce, as are cameo stamps. Cameo stamp billheads command premium prices. See the article by Thomas Beekman from Magazine Antiques about Philadelphia cameo stamps. It is a great read. I also recently purchased Cameo Stamps from the Bella Landauer Collection. I hope to be able to scan some example pages for you when I receive the book. I do have one cameo stamp example from an item I sold on ebay several months ago. The stamp was on a telegraph envelope. Take a look below. Aren’t these stamps just awesome! Again, premium prices and scarce on billheads.
As far as views, the most popular depiction was of the business premises. This is a great area to collect. I will have some examples in the next post of places of business. Another view involved the company showing off their factories. These are a little harder to find in 19th century billheads. Finally, hotel and resorts depicted their facilities - again in the 19th century - theses are difficult to find and generally command high prices. Large business buildings also command higher prices than the smaller scale graphics.
One category of graphics that DeSimone fails to touch on is what I call the “signboard” graphic. That is a framed list of goods and services provided by the billhead merchant. Sometimes the signboard also has a small graphic inside of it. Signboards can be plain lines, or a more elaborate design. Additionally, you might find outlines in color.
Finally, there are some rarer graphics that appear - patriotric graphics are scarce, as are cameo stamps. Cameo stamp billheads command premium prices. See the article by Thomas Beekman from Magazine Antiques about Philadelphia cameo stamps. It is a great read. I also recently purchased Cameo Stamps from the Bella Landauer Collection. I hope to be able to scan some example pages for you when I receive the book. I do have one cameo stamp example from an item I sold on ebay several months ago. The stamp was on a telegraph envelope. Take a look below. Aren’t these stamps just awesome! Again, premium prices and scarce on billheads.
Comments