Item Details

Monograph Stationary Album.

np [Boston]: nd [circa late 1800]. Unique. Hardcover. Statements from the prior owner about the the history, treatment, and nature of the collection:
Creation of the present album.
It was clear the original album would have to be dismantled It was largely disband, the paper was brittle and chipped and dust stained. It was comprised of 66 leaves with 146 pieces of stationary.
“All the contents were laid onto the pages of the album with four or five dabs of paste per item. The first page carried one envelope which was very dirty. When I removed it from the page it came off with part of the page attached at the four points where it had been glued. This was encouraging, much better than part of the envelope remaining on the page and creating thins in the envelope. The page remnants and the glue were then removed with water; it left some discolouration on the front of the envelope, but as it is the back which carries the crest it still allowed an effective display. The result gave me confidence to proceed with removal of all the material, copying it after removal, and noting details of the stationery here. One or two of the papers did not come off cleanly and thins resulted, but as all the notepaper was folded to give two sheets the appearance was not greatly affected. Much of the note paper had the same die-stamping on the reverse as was on the front. By this time I felt that the collection was of such importance as to warrant remounting in some way in a replacement album.
Some months were spent looking for a suitable album, and considering how best to remount the material. The album was eventually located on the web site of Aspinal of London. They were also offering a removable adhesive which, if it performed as advertised, would be ideal. Although both album and adhesive were expensive the quality of the collection warranted the expense. The adhesive appears to be all that it was held out to be and the whole of the collection has been mounted with it.
Pieces can be removed from the page and the dots of adhesive rubbed off the stationery or page, allowing for rearrangement or temporary removal.”
APPENDIX
“Various enquiries established that Messis Berry & Bouvé were in business in Boston as engravers and stationers from 1868 to 1875. The partners were Andrew C Berry and Allston G Bouvé. The latter had previously worked as a clerk for Ephraim W be listed as an engraver and stationer at 12 West Street. Bouvé, card engraver, at 6 Bromfield Street, Boston. Allston is noted as a dentist in 1876, whilst Andrew C Berry continued to, it seems likely that Allston was related to Ephraim W Bouvé (1817-1897) who is known as an engraver and lithographer. He produced lithographs for sheet music and books, and engraved maps in the 1840s.
The dates for Berry & Bouvé, 1868 to 1875, accord well with the known facts of the contents of the album. Allston's previous employment as a clerk, and subsequent occupation as a dentist, suggest that he was not the engraver in the partnership. I have no knowledge of the background or abilities of Andrew C Berry. Whoever undertook the engraving was an artist of no little ability: perhaps Berry, or could it have been Ephraim W Bouvé?
The single envelope carrying an additional imprint relates to the firm of Lowell & Brett, 228 Washington Street, Boston, engravers and stationers, who were in business from 1866 to 1871; after that date the firm continued as John Adams Lowell & Co., at the same address.”
PROVENANCE:
The album was offered for sale on eBay auction site on the internet in June 2002, described as: "ca 1900 Engraved Stationery samples monograms.
While somewhat tattered and worn, this is still an exceptional collection of engraved stationery, mounted on pages in what was probably a salesman's sample book. There are 65 large (9 x 13") pages, each with at least one envelope or piece of note paper - most have a matching envelope and note sheet, some have up to four pieces of note paper. Each piece carries either an engraved monogram, address or topical vignette (bee, artist's palette). Most of the engravings are a single color, some are multicolored.
There is a wide variety of different colors and textures of paper. This was part of a printer's collection including dated items from the late 1800s to about 1910, so while this book is undated it's likely these are from that era. There is some creasing and moderate wear to some of the stationery. There are a few blank spots where pieces have been lost, and the album pages are disbound and chipped along the edges. Great fun to look at, and a source of inspiration for present day designers aiming for a vintage look!"
This was seen as an opportunity to acquire American crested stationery which from my ten year's experience of collecting crests and crest albums is quite scarce. From the description I assumed the album would contain about 130 items. In view of their scarcity I valued them at $130 and bid £115, to allow for shipping costs from USA.
I secured the lot for $72.50 which shipping brought up to $92.50: equivalent to £65, and there proved to be 146 pieces of stationery, all A subsequent enquiry to the vendor, Ken Haverly of Massachusetts, elicited the following response:
I'm afraid I can't give you very much more information. Most of the stuff in this lot appears to originate from Worcester, Mass (about 30 miles West of Boston), and is from the very late 19th/early 20th Century.
Some of the stationery carried watermark dates of 1866, 1869 and 1870, and many of the envelopes had impressed maker's details of Berry & Bouvé, 12 West St. Boston. ... Notepaper dated 1869 was laid down on page 62, near the end of the album, suggesting that the whole album was put together at one point rather than being added to year by year.” [Owner Statement]. Near Fine. Tight, bright, and unmarred. Quater bound, brown leather spine and tips, marbel paper boards; tissue guards. Oblong to. np. Item #13210

Price: $1,200.00