Dive into the charm of yesteryear with this authentic vintage document, a captivating piece of ephemera that transports you to the simpler days of handwritten ledgers and beautifully intricate lithography. These historical artifacts offer a window into a bygone era of commercial life, showcasing elegant designs, regional specialties, and everyday transactions that evoke nostalgia and cultural insight. Perfect for collectors, historians, or even decorators, they serve as unique time capsules—affordable, one-of-a-kind relics that connect us to our past, stirring memories and sparking conversations. Preserve a slice of history; add this evocative document to your collection today!

Specifics:

Authentic—not a reproduction—this over 100-year-old document is a bill of lading for The Hettrick Bros. Co. and is dated July 4, 1914 (at that time, America was enjoying a period of economic growth, Europe was teetering on the brink of World War I due to escalating tensions and alliances, and Adolf Hitler was an unknown, struggling artist painting postcards in Munich, years before his political rise). It measures approximately 8 1/4 x 8 1/2 inches and is in fair condition with natural tan patina from age, enhancing its charm, but it does have general wear and it has been folded for mailing.

About the company:

The Hettrick Bros. Co., originally Hettrick Manufacturing Company, was founded in 1893 in Toledo, Ohio, by brothers specializing in canvas goods like awnings, wagon covers, and tents. Expanding amid the early 20th-century outdoor recreation boom, it diversified into camping gear, furniture, and hunting apparel under the "American Field" line launched in 1921, including jackets and vests for sportsmen. The firm weathered a 1915 bankruptcy scare after rejecting a British Army boot contract but rebounded, becoming America's largest canvas products manufacturer by the 1930s. Acquired in 1962 by F&M Real Estate Co., operations moved to Statesville, N.C., and later to Michigan under WeatherShield Sports Equipment. The company ceased independent operations by the early 1990s.