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Beresford, Printer scrapbook

 Collection
Identifier: CSC-0165

Content Description

The Beresford, Printer scrapbook holds 390 printed cards, tickets, and coupons on 34 pages. Eight of the cards from page 22 are detatched and held in an envelope.

The 100 loose visiting cards are divided into 10 envelopes. There is one envelope per page, numbered 1 through 9.

The largest card in the collection measures 7.5 x 12.6 cm. The smallest card measures 1.9 x 8.9 cm.

Dates

  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1869 - 1875

Biographical / Historical

Beresford, Printer operated from several addresses in the city of Washington D.C., as evident from the firm's tag line printed on the samples in this scrapbook. The tag lines also often stated, "Pic-Nic and Ball Printer," perhaps alluding to the kinds of printing services it provided. The dates and places of business follow: June 1869: 138 24th Street, February - May 1870: 1009 24th Street, July 1870: 138 24th Street, December 1870 - May 1871: 1716 Pennsylvania Avenue, April 1872 - December 1873: 1719 Pennsylvania Avenue, June 1874 - February 1875: 628 F Street, May - July 1875: 628 F Street and 523 7th Street

The cards printed in the scrapbook show that Beresford had an extensive collection of decorative metal types for advertising use. These highly detailed, fine types in small point sizes were often made by the electrotype process. They are now referred to as "Victorian" ornamented type styles or exemplars of artistic printing.

Beresford, Printer or R. Beresford also printed pamphlet and book material in the Washington area. Some titles printed by the firm include:

Hain, Augustus H. F., "A brief essay on the civil service of the United States," Washington, D.C., R. Beresford, printer, 1869.

"Brief History of The United States Patent Office From Its Foundation -- 1790 To 1886 -- With An Outline Of Laws, Growth, Publications, Office Routine, Etc.," Washington, D.C., R. Beresford, Printer, 1886.

Extent

01 Box(es) ; 12 x 17.5 x 3 inches

Language

English

Overview

Scrapbook of printing samples by "Beresford, Printer," dating from ca. 1869 to 1875. This printing firm was active in Washington, D.C.

Arrangement

The paper-bound scrapbook is stabilized in a phase box. The loose visiting cards are gathered into 11 envelopes.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The scrapbook was found in the Cary stacks during its renovation in 2021-22. Accession number(s): cc2022:005

Condition Description

Poor. Fragile paper is yellowed and brittle. Adhesive staining. Some pasted cards are falling out. Several dozen visiting cards are loose.

Title
Beresford, Printer scrapbook
Status
Ready To Publish
Author
Amelia Hugill-Fontanel
Date
03/14/2022
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Cary Graphic Arts Collection Repository

Contact:
Rochester NY 14623 US
(585) 475-2408