But it's fascinating stuff, not only for the letterhead graphics but for the contents of many of the letters. Here's a Montana example: an 1893 letter from the old Missoula Mercantile company to Holter Hardware in Helena, both well-known institutions in early Montana history.
The Merc, of course, was a downtown Missoula landmark for years, even after the store was acquired by The Bon Marché and later Macy's. Today the old building is empty and awaiting a promised redevelopment ... good news, though it's too bad its days as a department store are over.

It was an amazing place, the Missoula Mercantile. I went there as a kid with my best friend and her family when we'd stay at their cabin on Seeley Lake. I was glad I didn't have to see it become the Bon. I hope the building will be renovated in a respectful manner.
ReplyDeleteOh, isn't that lovely?!
ReplyDeleteThe great detail and script...
Yep, I just remember it as the Bon, which wasn't quite the same ... but it was still a nice store. I knew that when Macy's bought the place out, it was the beginning of the end.
ReplyDeleteThere was a similar local department store up in Kalispell -- the KM. I still remember that from my early years in Glacier country.
And yep, those graphics are wonderful! Current styles just don't compare ...