THE EPHEMERA OF BUSINESS

Robert P. Studley was born in New Hampshire but moved to St. Louis and began a printing business in the City around 1855 with partner Thomas Usick. The firm operated as Usick, Studley & Co. By 1864 the firm was simply known as R.P. Studley & Co. However, through outside speculations by a partner the firm failed in 1875, but with the aid of his brother and friends he began again. Studley was the first to introduce lithographic presses to St. Louis. Studley also has a type face named after him. 

I recently read an article on the seed industry on the New York Times website about rising seed costs . So, I thought I would show some seed billheads today. My favorite is the Jerome Rice billhead with the comical graphic showing the farmer trying to lift a giant cabbage.

While I love and collect billheads - I also really enjoy trade cards as well. I think of them as small artwork. That is, I can't afford the large lithographed ad signs and posters, but I can most some of the trade cards. Thought I would showcase some billheads with their trade cards - I did choose trade cards that were colorful and unique.

Examples of some nice letter logos as graphics on billheads.