Are Billheads Limited Edition Antique Art?

[Martin]

My interest in Billheads began about 15 years ago when I unearthed a few in a failing “Antique Shop”. As an Engineer, a student of the Industrial Revolution, someone who has very vivid memories of grandparents Victoriana and a fascination with late Victorian society, this previously unknown category of ephemera became intriguing. (In actual fact most readily obtainable English illustrated billheads date between 1900 and 1930)

These documents encapsulated the spirit of Kingdom-Brunell Engineering, many originating from the Industrial Midlands (with which I had some ties) they represent a snapshot of products, prices, destinations, technology, transport and commercial practices of their era. Reason enough, therefore, to amass a collection; however there is one further aspect of this ephemera; it’s artistic quality.

Each Billhead could be considered a “limited edition” of genuine Antique Art, unique in design and telling of the many hours of artistic engraving that led to each example. Indeed this is probably the greatest attribute of this commercial ephemera.

On this basis I suggest that quality Billheads represent a superb piece of genuine and period art that could displace many of the reprints or limited print of more traditional art. In the same way that period posters and advertisements have been recognised for their artistic quality surely Billheads could enjoy a rediscovery. After all, would you rather have the two millionth reproduction of a bunch of flowers or a hay wagon adorning your walls or an original genuine antique example of Victorian art?

[Chuck Whiting]

Billheads are at the top of my favorites list for ephemera, not only for the antiquarian print images, which make a strong first impression, but also for the content they often provide about a company--products, history, location, etc. To answer your question, Martin, about limited edition antique art, I'd say yes, billheads qualify as such. I would add the caveat that the billhead should contain information about a particular transaction, preferably in contemporary handwriting. This makes the piece as unique as possible. There won't be another one exactly like it. I have multiple copies of blank billheads for some companies, as well as printer proofs, but they don't convey that extra degree of history without a company representative's "time stamp" in the form of a written record of business transacted. Nice, informative post--I enjoyed reading it and the comments.

[Frank DeFreitas]

There is so much to appreciate with billheads. There is the graphic design, of course. Then there is the actual printing technology of the era. The inks. We have beautiful, classic typefaces -- some are handmade, one-of-a-kind -- along with their incorporation into the overall design. Not to mention the history and stories behind each one showing the companies and their trades of the day. Great stuff.

[Martin]

It's interesting that vignette (as I understood it to be a vine or ivy type detail esp towards the edge of a design) very rarely appears in English billheads I collect

There is however an abundance of what I would call Filigree much of which appears to be influenced by nature esp leaves. Please see below

[Nancy]

Mike
Thanks for the information on the Knickerbocker Mills Billhead, nice to learn about there history.

[Frank DeFreitas]

I didn't know, until recently, that the word "vignette" had a few different meanings. I had always been around it in the printing trade. Trying to maintain an accurate vignette via drum scanning, color separating, and actual printing was quite a task (and still remains so to this day). This is where most digital images, and even DVDs, fall short. Now I also learn that it has a completely separate meaning in ephemera (such as a fancy border, or the header art on a billhead). Learn something new every day.

[Mike Ferguson]

Billheads are my favorite type of ephemera and I had several framed for my office...all of them coffee related. Knickerbocker Mills was purchased by A.C. Fitzpatrick & Co. around the turn of the century but took the name Knickerbocker rather than keeping Fitzpatrick. Austin C. Fitzpatrick, who entered the coffee industry as a roaster and salesman in 1865, ran the company until 1923, when his son Irving took over.

[Nancy]

I also like Billheads with Vignettes

[Frank DeFreitas]

I agree. Many of the engravings are worthy of being framed and displayed.

[Bernie]

Enjoy looking at your bill head collection, Martin. My wife and I absolutely agree with you. But why stop at Bill Heads - this embraces all ephemera. And for the price of a nice looking cheap frame from a budget shop, charity shop or boot sale you’ve got yourself a unique piece.