{"product_id":"1919-bradstreet-company-credit-inquiry-indiana-pa-original-envelope-forms-april-2-1919","title":"1919 Bradstreet Company Credit Inquiry-Indiana, Pa, Original Envelope \u0026 Forms. April 2, 1919","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1919 correspondence from The Bradstreet Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the historic commercial credit-reporting agency that eventually became part of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDun \u0026amp; Bradstreet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lot includes the original Bradstreet mailing envelope and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003etwo Bradstreet credit-information inquiry forms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, both bearing \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApril 1919\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e date stamps.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe envelope is preprinted:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“FROM BRADSTREET’S – PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand is addressed to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThomas H. Hill, Indiana, Pa.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e It retains its original U.S. postage stamp and a very clear \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePittsburgh, PA, April 2, 1919, 5:30 PM\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e machine cancellation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe enclosed forms were sent by Bradstreet to obtain updated financial and credit information on businesses in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIndiana County, Pennsylvania\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. These forms were part of the company’s early system of gathering confidential information used to establish commercial credit ratings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe questionnaires ask about such matters as:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eEstimated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003enet worth\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCapital and real estate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEncumbrances and exemptions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeneral character and credit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhether the business was successful\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecent real-estate purchases or sales\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMortgages on real or personal property\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAny changes that might strengthen or weaken the firm’s credit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth forms retain handwritten period entries identifying the businesses\/individuals being investigated and appear largely unanswered beyond Bradstreet’s initial information. One has an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAPR 2 1919\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e office stamp and the other appears \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAPR 8 1919\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe envelope and forms show expected age-related toning, folds, handling wear and some opening damage to the envelope, but the paperwork remains remarkably clean and legible for being over \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e100 years old\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an interesting survivor from the early history of American commercial credit reporting, with additional appeal to collectors of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIndiana County\/Pittsburgh history, Pennsylvania ephemera, banking and financial history, postal history, and Dun \u0026amp; Bradstreet material\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43605348417613,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/9229\/8829\/files\/87722348-B252-44E5-B9B1-6B690F3400A9.jpg?v=1787943265","url":"https:\/\/whiskeyrebellionantiques.com\/products\/1919-bradstreet-company-credit-inquiry-indiana-pa-original-envelope-forms-april-2-1919","provider":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}