Subject: 1870s

This billhead for Gans & Klein, dated August 30, 1875, details a transaction for "Mr. A. M. Hollus" in Helena, Montana Territory. Gans & Klein are identified as "IMPORTERS, MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN Fashionable Clothing, Gent's Furnishing Goods, Hats, Boots, and Shoes, Hydraulic Hose, Rubber Clothing, California Blankets, Etc., Etc., Etc." The item features an ornate, stylized company logo for "Gans & Klein" with decorative Victorian-style lettering. It also notes an "OFFICE IN New York, 66 & 68 THOMAS STREET." The billhead includes terms for reporting claims ("ALL claims must be reported within five days after receipt of goods") and shipping goods ("Goods shipped at purchaser's risk"), as well as terms regarding interest. The date "Helena, M. T. Aug. 30, 1875" is handwritten at the top, along with the buyer's name.

This billhead from Greenhood, Bohm & Co., Importers and Dealers in Clothing and Gents' Furnishing Goods, is addressed to Mr. James S. Davis and dated December 29, 1879. It details a transaction including items such as "Shot," "drawers," "Socks," and "gloves," with quantities and prices listed, totaling $10.35. The document features an elegant, ornate script for the date and buyer's name, bold capital lettering for the business name, and descriptive text outlining the business's offerings. Smaller print indicates branch offices in New York City and San Francisco. The item is characterized by pink and blue ruled lines typical of accounting documents of the period. 3.

This billhead from J. Coblentz, operating as "Camiseria Elegante" (Elegant Shirtmaker), is addressed to Señor Adolfo Payres in Mexico City and dated February 17, 1870. The transaction details the purchase of five shirts (Camisas), three pairs of underpants (Calzoncillos), two ties (Corbatas), and four handkerchiefs (Pañuelos), totaling 14.6 units of currency. The item features a prominent lithographic illustration of the "Camiseria Elegante" storefront at Calle de la Palma, No. 11, showing customers and staff. The design includes ornate Victorian-style lettering for the business name and decorative flourishes typical of the period.

A billhead from Joseph Schiffman, a dealer in dry goods, groceries, and crockery, located in Gainesville, Alabama, dated October 1, 1877. The bill details a statement of account for Mifs Josiah Wrenn, listing purchases made between February and September 1877, including women's shoes, a water bucket, children's hose, and glass shoes, with a total of $5.25 for these listed items. The item features ornate Victorian-style lettering for the business name and location, a decorative "BOUGHT OF" logo, and various decorative borders and lines typical of the period. Handwritten notes indicate payment was received on October 7, 1877.

This billhead, dated January 21, 1870, details a transaction between Phillips & Liebenstein, manufacturers of chairs and furniture in Chicago, and Messrs. Rohrbough & Moore. The itemized list includes "1 Doz. Bryman Hall," "1/2 Doz. Backs," "1 Flag Seat Chair," and "3 Dining" (possibly Dining Chairs or related items) for a total of $42.25, with a "Cartage" charge of $1.60, resulting in a total of $40.65 due. The document notes a 5% deduction for cash payment on wood seat chairs. Visually, the billhead features ornate Victorian-style lettering for the business name and "CHAIRS AND FURNITURE" sections, alongside a decorative border, typical of commercial documents of the period. 3.

This carte-de-visite features a portrait of Alice Oldham Beasley, produced by the Eureka Photograph Gallery I. G. Levy in San Francisco, circa 1871. The photographic card shows a waist-up portrait of a woman in period dress. The reverse side prominently displays the ornate Victorian-style lettering of the "Eureka Photograph Gallery I. G. Levy" with its address, and includes a note indicating that negatives were preserved for extra copies at reduced rates. The subject's name, "Alice Oldham Beasley," and the year "1871" are handwritten at the top of the reverse side. 3.

This carte-de-visite (CDV) features a sepia-toned photographic portrait of two young men, possibly miners, taken by Louis Heller in Fort Jones, Siskiyou Co., California. One man stands, holding a pocket pistol, while the other is seated. Both wear hats and attire typical of the late 19th century, suggesting a frontier or working-class context. The photograph is mounted on a card with a decorative border. The verso displays the photographer's imprint: "Louis Heller, Photographer, Fort Jones, Siskiyou Co. Cal." in an ornate, Victorian-style typeface, indicating the studio location. **3.

This is a letter from G. Goldberg, a dealer of Choice Staple and Fancy Groceries, Wines, Liquors, Tobacco and Cigars, and a General Outfitting Depot in Corinne, Utah Territory, dated August 10, 1871. The letter is addressed to L. H. Hershfield & Bro. in Helena, Montana Territory, inquiring about the status of Morris, G. Goldberg's brother, and asking if he has goods to sell in Helena and for how much. The letterhead features the business name "Office of G. Goldberg" prominently, with "Choice Staple and Fancy Groceries, WINES, LIQUORS, TOBACCO AND CIGARS, &c. AND GENERAL OUTFITTING DEPOT" below in decorative, possibly Victorian-style, typography. **3.

This is a handwritten letter dated February 9, 1871, from S. Marks in Roseburg, Oregon, to R. Cohen in San Francisco, California. The letter reminds Cohen of an outstanding debt ("bill of bee 22 feet") and asks for a reply. It also seeks Cohen's opinion and potential involvement regarding the Oregon City Manufacturing Company's interest in establishing an agency for the purchase of wool "spring clips." S. Marks requests Cohen's views on the proposal and asks him to keep the discussion private. The letter is written in cursive on lined paper. **3.

A sepia-toned cabinet card photograph, attributed to Isaac Almstaedt, depicting a steamboat in the middle of a body of water with a dock on the left side and several sailboats in the background. The verso of the card is captioned "Bay by moonlight."

A postal card sent from S. Zickel to B. Westermann & Co. The obverse features an ornate "POSTAL CARD" banner and a New York postmark dated December 5, 1876. The reverse side acts as an advertisement for S. Zickel, a publisher and importer located at 19 Dey Street, New York, listing various German-language publications such as "Haus und Welt," "Der Lejtar," and "Fliegende Blätter," with decorative borders. A handwritten message in German is also present on the reverse, addressed to B. Westermann & Co., 524 Broadway, and dated December 4, 1876.

A stereoscopic photograph from the "Staten Island Gems" series by J. Almstaedt, depicting the "N. Y. Yacht Tub House" located on a pier over water, with small boats nearby. The verso is pink with ornate black text advertising "Staten Island Gems" and identifying "J. Almstaedt, Photographer" of Tompkinsville, S. I., also noting "Duplicates can always be had." The image captures a serene waterside scene.

This trade card advertises Samuel Cohn as the authorized agent for Edwin C. Burt's fine shoes, located at 281 Grand Street, New York City. The obverse features a colorful illustration of a young man in a squire or page costume holding a sign that reads "Edwin C. Burt Fine Shoes" as he ascends steps toward a door. The reverse side includes a full calendar for the year 1879 and a caution note stating that genuine Edwin C. Burt goods have his name stamped on the lining and sole of each shoe. The card features ornate Victorian-style lettering and decorative borders, typical of late 19th-century advertising. 3.