Phœnix Insurance Co. letterhead

Source: https://archive.org.Harpel's Typograph, 1870, scanned by Boston Public Library and hosted by Internet Archive. License: Public Domain.

This is a sample of letterhead and correspondence from Harpel's Typograph. Designed and published by Oscar Henry Harpel in 1870, the Typograph was a comprehensive guide for letterpress printers and contains many examples of elaborate typesetting and printing techniques. The book is an example of high quality Victorian design, and a catalyst for the style in America. Such "artistic printing" was enhanced and expanded by printers such as William J. Kelly of New York and his publication The American Model Printer.