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This is an interesting piece of vintage Americana, capturing a small business transaction from over a century ago.
1909 John J. Conway Letterhead & Bill of Sale for Sewing Sets - Ephemera
This listing is for a fascinating piece of vintage correspondence dated June 29, 1909. It is a letter from the John J. Conway Co. of Bridgeport, Connecticut, addressed to Mr. S. F. Leib of San Jose, California.
The letterhead is visually engaging, featuring bold, period-appropriate typography. John J. Conway describes his business as a "Manufacturer Exclusively of Special Tension Device High Grade Shears and Scissors." A notable detail is that this device was "Patented Dec. 22, 1908," which adds to the document’s historical significance. The company is listed as being located at No. 254 Coleman Street, with a reference to The Bridgeport Trust Co.
The body of the letter serves as a receipt and acknowledgement. It reads: "Dear Sir:- We have your check for $4.00 in payment for four sets of Sewing Sets, and we have to-day forwarded the same as per your instructions, sending the latter three to you, as we note you will kindly distribute them." The message concludes with, "Having every confidence that the Sewing Sets will prove satisfactory, and thanking you for your order, we remain, Very truly yours, John J. Conway Co., By [signature]." There is a signature in ink next to "By."
At the bottom of the page, the initials "Dic. J.J.C.- #1" indicate that the letter was dictated by John J. Conway himself. In the lower-right corner, the name "Conway" is written in cursive pencil, likely a later addition by a collector.
The reverse of the page features a faint purple watermark that appears to read "SWISS BOND."
This is a unique find for collectors of vintage business ephemera, local Bridgeport, CT history, old tool advertising, or individuals with a connection to the Leib family or San Jose, California. It offers a clear and specific window into early 20th-century commerce.
Condition Report:
This is an authentic vintage document and shows signs of age as detailed below and in the accompanying images:
Creases: The paper has multiple folds, presumably from being mailed in an envelope.
Holes: There are two large binder punch holes near the top edge. There is also a small, tattered tear on the top-left edge.
Discoloration: The paper has naturally aged and shows some foxing and fading, particularly on the reverse side. The watermark on the back has bled slightly.
Marks: There are some scattered small dark spots on the paper.
L4-44
