{"product_id":"townsend-montana-1897-j-g-blessing-bricklaying-masonry-billhead-8-5-x-5-5","title":"Townsend Montana 1897 J G Blessing Bricklaying Masonry Billhead 8.5 x 5.5","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"90\" data-end=\"252\"\u003eThis 1897 Townsend, Montana billhead documents the masonry and lime business of J. G. Blessing during the territorial-era building expansion in central Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"254\" data-end=\"738\"\u003eAs mining towns and rail-connected communities matured in the late nineteenth century, tradesmen such as bricklayers and plasterers played a central role in shaping the region’s commercial streetscapes. Printed in bold serif type with ornamental flourishes, the header reads “Office of J. G. Blessing” and advertises Bricklaying, Plastering, Calcimining, Masonry, and a dealer in fine quality lime, reflecting the specialized yet diversified services common to frontier contractors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"740\" data-end=\"1199\"\u003eDated March 22, 1897, in Townsend, Montana, the document is written as a business letter requesting one barrel of Portland cement to be shipped by freight, signed J. G. Blessing. The clean, typographic masthead contrasts with the flowing manuscript script below, creating a visually appealing example of late nineteenth-century trade stationery from a developing Montana community. The item shown in the listing is the exact item the collector will receive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1201\" data-end=\"1416\"\u003eWe 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, or visit our store page for specifics.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Everything Ephemera","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52874556670136,"sku":"20260221b + 1","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0939\/8740\/6008\/files\/57_86398779-d84f-4e22-9c85-203db3d764dd.jpg?v=1771730784","url":"https:\/\/everythingephemera.com\/products\/townsend-montana-1897-j-g-blessing-bricklaying-masonry-billhead-8-5-x-5-5","provider":"Everything Ephemera","version":"1.0","type":"link"}