{"product_id":"rochester-new-york-1887-smith-perkins-wholesale-grocers-cigars-billhead-8-5-x-4","title":"Rochester New York 1887 Smith Perkins Wholesale Grocers Cigars Billhead 8.5 x 4.5","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-col text-sm pb-25\"\u003e\n\u003carticle class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:a3c0da62-9d36-4286-824d-b40e6b7d8c57-30\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-62\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\" data-turn=\"assistant\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"8169ae82-ae1c-428c-be0f-371e092eafce\" dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-2\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full break-words dark markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"83\" data-end=\"289\"\u003eThis 1887 billhead documents a transaction from Smith, Perkins \u0026amp; Co., a Rochester-based wholesale grocery firm operating during the late nineteenth century, a period of rapid urban and commercial expansion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"291\" data-end=\"832\"\u003eWholesale grocers played a critical role in regional distribution networks, supplying retailers with foodstuffs, imported goods, and tobacco products such as cigars. Firms like Smith, Perkins \u0026amp; Co. served as intermediaries between producers and local merchants, helping standardize pricing, credit, and delivery across growing markets. Billheads from this era functioned not only as accounting records but also as branded business stationery, reinforcing trust, scale, and longevity through typography, engraved imagery, and formal language.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"834\" data-end=\"1277\"\u003eThe billhead features an engraved illustration of the company’s Exchange Street premises alongside bold decorative lettering identifying the firm as wholesale grocers. Handwritten entries record the sale of cigars, with ruled columns and ink notations reflecting period bookkeeping practices. The combination of printed branding and original handwriting preserves a clear snapshot of everyday commercial exchange in Rochester during the 1880s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1279\" data-end=\"1527\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eThe item shown in the listing is the exact item the collector will receive. We have tens of thousands of items to choose from. Shipping will always be combined or refunded to save you as much money as possible. Please contact us with any questions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mt-3 w-full empty:hidden\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/article\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Everything Ephemera","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52979949928632,"sku":"20250823","price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0939\/8740\/6008\/files\/57_3e9f0331-9b3b-4ad3-a9d0-6d317d78dac1.jpg?v=1773035148","url":"https:\/\/everythingephemera.com\/products\/rochester-new-york-1887-smith-perkins-wholesale-grocers-cigars-billhead-8-5-x-4","provider":"Everything Ephemera","version":"1.0","type":"link"}