THE EPHEMERA OF BUSINESS

Benjamin Tanner was born in New York City on March 27, 1775. At an early age he manifested a talent for drawing and designing, and after receiving his education he began to learn the art of engraving. Tanner's master is unknown, but he engraved in New York in 1792 and was possibly one of the pupils of Peter R. Maverick . In 1805, he moved to Philadelphia. In 1811, with his brother Henry S. Tanner he commenced business as a general engraver and map publisher. From 1816-1824 he was a member of the bank-note engraving firm of Tanner, Vallance, Kearny & Co.. In 183 established a blank check note and draft publishing office - known as his stereography business, which he abandoned in 1845 to Charles H. Butts . His engravings include portraits of Washington, after Savage; Benjamin Franklin, after Charles N. Cochin (1822); "Apotheosis of Washington," after J. J. Barralet (1802) ; "Perry's Victory on Lake Erie, 10 September, 1813," and " The Launch of the ...

A few years or so ago I purchased an early billhead printed by B. Tanner. I really liked it and got interested in Benjamin Tanner. Since then, I have acquired more Tanner items. At this point, this is my main collecting area - if you read my blog and have a Tanner piece, drop me a line, I would love to buy it for my collection. Check out my next post for more on Tanner. This is the billhead that started it all.  Tanner's checks typically have this border on them - B. Tanner's Stereograph Phila, with this swirl design. 1834 bank check Urbana Banking Company 1836 bank check Lebanon Bank with trimmed Tanner border - signed by resident engineer. 1837 promise to pay Philadelphia. 1837 promise to pay same design as above for Thayer, Bryan & McKee Philadelphia. 1840 Bill of Exchange Isaac Goodall & Son Philadelphia. Probably 1830s bank check sheet for the Bank of Baltimore. 1840s Bill of Exchange printed by CH Butts who bought Tanner...

1809 billhead J & J Symes & Co.'s fly wagons Tucker printer. 1809 receipt Lyme for the Union with Captain P. Head from London for iron ware. 1807 billhead R & T Hallet Axminster. 1803 Cabinet & Chair Maker William Harmon. 2 billheads pencil maker and Taylor to the King. Lot of billheads Cruttwell printers - note different co. names 1808 invoice Smith rope maker with impressed revenue stamp. 1810 billhead General Post Office to Daniel Stowe for news papers. 1805 billhead Richard Crutwell left side graphic next to the Church. 

New additions. Fun stuff! Lafayette Insurance Co. of Cincinnati OH insurance policy sleeve with LaFayette vignette  Insurance policy from above with revenue stamps. Great George Washington Insurance Co. Policy with Washington center vignette. 1800 billhead for John T. Duryee New York on Pearl Street. Cosack & Clark Lithographers letterhead of Buffalo NY. 1886 billhead JW Petty & Sons UK lithographers with color.  1837 Philadelphia promise to pay George Peterson & Son