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Original 1843 Philadelphia Bookseller Receipt
Kay & Brother, Booksellers and Stationers
Offered is an original antebellum American bookseller’s receipt dated August 1, 1843, issued in Philadelphia by the prominent firm Kay & Brother, Booksellers and Stationers, located at 75 Market Street, above Fourth.
The receipt is made out to Mr. Charles Plummer and documents the purchase of eight octavo-format books, a standard mid-19th-century book size commonly used for professional, academic, and literary works. The transaction totals $5.00, noted as paid cash, reflecting a substantial retail purchase for the period.
The document features a printed Kay & Brother letterhead with period manuscript entries. Kay & Brother was an established Philadelphia bookselling and stationery firm serving merchants, professionals, and institutions during the early to mid-1800s. Ephemera from the American book trade of this era is increasingly difficult to find, particularly with clear imprints, legible names, and precise dating.
Details:
Date: August 1, 1843
Location: Philadelphia
Firm: Kay & Brother, Booksellers and Stationers
Customer: Charles Plummer
Content: Purchase of eight octavo-format books
Format: Printed letterhead with handwritten entries
Paper: Original 19th-century wove paper
Condition: Age-appropriate toning and light staining consistent with mid-19th-century paper. Central fold from original use. Minor ink bleed and a small pinhole. Text remains clear and fully legible. No repairs.
A solid example of antebellum American commercial and book-trade ephemera, suitable for collectors of early publishing history, Philadelphia history, or 19th-century documents.
Shipped flat and well protected.
