THE EPHEMERA OF BUSINESS

I have always been a huge Washington fan. In high school I was lucky to visit Mount Vernon and loved it. The Library of Congress has put together a bibliography on Washington. First off, let's start with billheads and letterheads with a graphic of George.

More pages from the scrapbook. Some business advertisements include: American Arms Co. / Rising Sun Stove Polish / Dr. Simmons Liver Regulator / Anderson's Cough Cure / University Medicines / Schepp's Cocoanut / Elgin watches / J & P Coats thread / Boston baked beans / Augusta Healy's vegetable pills / Charter Oak City Shirt Co. / Jacob Hoffman brewery / Skilton Foote Co.'s Bunker Hill pickles / Solar Tip Shoes / Beef Canning Co. / Eldridge's safety halter / Pond's Extract / J. Hetherington / Kibbe Big Sandy cigar El

I originally had this group of billheads categorized as "banners" but after looking at all of the banner group I realized that there was a distinct difference. I have decided to label these billheads as ribbons. I know, a sideways award ribbon, but a ribbon nonetheless. I will show off the banners - which typically are wavy and lack the circle top of the ribbon. Notice too that all of these examples are very artistic too.

An interesting advertisement or notification on billheads for the UK is that the royal warrant of appointment. Royal Warrants have been issued for centuries to those who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal personages. The warrant enables the supplier to advertise the fact that they supply to the royal family, so lending prestige to the supplier. Competition for Royal favor was intense. So the monarch had the pick of the country’s most skilled and talented trades people. The first rewards for this loyal service were Royal Charters granted to the trade guilds, later known as livery companies. By the 15th century Royal tradesmen were recognized with a Royal Warrant of Appointment. In the late 18th century Royal tradesmen began displaying the Royal Arms on their premises and stationery. One of the most common endorsements during that time was for “Her Majesty.” Which while not specific, I can only infer that the firm is referring to Queen Victoria of G...

I am also giddy with glee over an ebay auction I won this afternoon for 8 awesome 1830s and 1840s billheads. I thought for sure I was going to have to spend a bundle but $56 won the lot. I tried sniping manually for the first time and it worked really well. I haven't decided if I want to try a sniper program yet. Anyway, here are two billheads I bought separately on ebay UK. I will show off the others when I receive them.