Art at the Top of the Page in the 19th Century

I'm a big fan of 19th-century graphics, design and typography, particularly as they play out on business letterhead. Some time ago, we took a look at some pretty elaborate examples. Today, I wanted to have a look at some that are not as fancy, but equally as impressive. Many of the letters in the Crane archive are from companies wanting to sell something. Nothing new there. But unlike letterhead for so many of today's manufacturers, these business people took great pride in showing off their products on their letterhead.

Let's have a look at a few:

 

Check out the Douglas letterhead from 10 years prior

 

 

No belts below, but it's irresistable!

Friday Eye Candy: Corporate Identity System

I'm getting in samples of some very cool designs and printing techniques from the Crane Business Papers representatives out in the field. As I have mentioned, I have no artistic abilities whatsoever, so it's lots of fun for me to live my creative life vicariously through the talents of others.

This Friday's Eye Candy is the corporate identity system for Mamone & Parners of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mamone & Partners is a graphics, design and communications firm, so they did all the design work in-house.

Letterhead, envelopes and business cards were printed by the Aries Group in Toronto, using offset printing, embossing, engraving and clear foil stamping on Crane's Crest Fluorescent White 24-pound paper, square-flap envelopes and 100# cover stock.

Enjoy

The Art of 19th-Century Business Stationery

I came across a file I had cobbled together a few years ago from the Crane archives to demonstrate some of the fabulous corporate letterheads of the 19th century. In the archives, there are literally thousands of pieces of business correspondence to "Messrs. Crane & Co.," and one can trace the development of the letterhead art form as the dates flash by.

Here are some of my favorite letterheads dating between 1869 and 1895:

And my most favorite:

Choosing Your “Green” Paper

Now that the annual green blitz from Earth Day has subsided, it’s time to get to work on the other 364 days Earth Days (actually 365 this year).

Since I’m a paper guy, let’s take a look at selecting an environmentally responsible paper. I’ve been at this a long time, and have learned that there is no single solution. All paper production, all paper use, has an impact on the environment. And despite protestations to the contrary from proponents of various options, there is no “best” paper. Yes, some are better than others, but attempts to quantify environmental impact through any form of lifecycle analysis fall far short of definitive.

I prefer a more personal approach by making a personal statement on every piece of paper we use. Now I know that’s not completely practical because I’m not going to write on that sticky note in front of me:

“I have no idea what this paper's made of or how it’s made and I could care less”

But that’s what I’m saying to myself and everyone else by using this paper that I know nothing about.

Let the medium be the message. Take the example of letterhead and business cards, two papers that project your personal and professional image. Think about what you would print at the bottom:

"I have no idea what this paper's made of or how it’s made and I could care less”

or

"Proudly printed on 100% cotton tree-free paper"

or

"Proudly printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper"

These few words printed on your most visible papers speak volumes about you and your business. You’ve done your homework. You’ve decided what’s important to you. You’ve decided to incorporate and communicate a message of environmental responsibility. And you’re proud to do so.

Take a look at your personal and professional papers.

What’s the message?

Little Letterhead - Big Impact

Crane has a new personalized stationery album for business and professional people coming out in May, and there is more than one trend that's reflected in stationery design.

But I'll concentrate on just one for the time being, and bring you some others as time permits and as samples come off press.

For some time in the area of personal correspondence, we've seen a trend toward writing shorter letters and notes. This has led to the increasing popularity of smaller paper formats, such as Monarch sheets (7 1/4 by 10 1/2 inches) and folded notes. But the real star of shorter writing is the correspondence card.

These cards measure approximately 4 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches - just enough space for your name engraved at the top and three or four sincere sentences. Correspondence cards have had a place at the business-writing table for a long time,but there's a new twist developing: correspondence cards as letterhead.

This small format has plenty of room for your business name and logo and all the contact information normally featured on a regular 8 1/2 by 11 company letterhead, while still leaving plenty of room for short notes to clients, potential clients or colleagues.

The world of business is filled with small businesses, home businesses, creative businesses, mobile businesses - many of whom may rarely if ever need traditional business letterhead. Correspondence cards may be the answer for your business.

And no writer's cramp!