It is signed by Wm. H. McMaster, likely an officer of the bank handling this correspondence. The use of “scrip” as a form of currency or bond is also noteworthy, reflecting a common practice in that era.
A number “2” is present on the lower right hand corner.
Dated April 23, 1914, the correspondence is from the office of G. H. Blakeley, Manager of Structural Steel Sales and Structural Engineer, and is signed by J. R. Walters, Fabricating Engineer.
It has a gentle ivory color that flows the paper without looking flat or dull.
MAY 31’10 SEPT 1’10 AUG. 24’04.”. A handwritten note at the bottom reads “Write for quotes about #1612”. The back of the letterhead is blank, with a faint ghosting of the printed information from the front.
& Chester Valley R. R. Co., The Phila., Newtown & New York R. R. Co., and the Pickering Valley line, among others.
You will find that the rolling cone helps it stand out other paper collectibles.
The pre-printed date field 191__ and the printer’s code (WESTERN 8-15-16) on the reverse confirm this blank form’s production and intended use during the mid-1910s.
The item bears two distinct and vibrant hand-stamped approvals, providing a complete narrative of its processing.
The use of a photographic portrait rather than an illustration reflects a shift in early twentieth-century promotional materials toward a more personal and direct connection with the audience. The design, with its careful balance of image and text, serves both as a practical guide for the audience and as a collectible souvenir, a common practice for recitals at major cultural institutions.
