the art of the invoice

there is nothing particularly modern about this collection but it falls in line with my love of the letterhead. when starting out as a graphic designer, i loved the application of an identity system, which meant designing the letterhead and invoice for a company. i saw unlimited possibilities when given this particular assignment and i have never lost my zeal for the letterhead. i don't recall when I first bought these particular examples but I do recall when i discovered the 19th-century invoice. i have mentioned the paper fair in allentown before and the discovery of postal history. what caught my eye was a basket with these letters. staring out at me was a wonderful cancellation mark for new york. the dealer explained a little about postal history which i knew absolutely nothing. i was not interested in the letter or “cover,” as I learned it was called, but only in the cancellation. it was a wonderful piece of typography. i asked if i could open up the letter since it was not an envelope but paper folded in a particular way to make a self envelope. i'm not sure when the envelope became popular and there is much to read about its development and birth. i do know that these early invoices were folded into self-made envelopes. when it was opened, i discovered a wonderful invoice with superb 19th-century typography and amazing handwriting. there are several examples of french invoices and two american examples. imagine taking the time to write these out today.