Austria 1849 Original Peter Boldrini Straw Hat Factory Invoice, Vienna
A fascinating original piece of 19th-century European commercial history, connecting a Vienna straw-hat manufacturer with the internationally active Swiss straw industry.
Offered here is an authentic original handwritten commercial invoice dated 1 April 1849, issued by the Strohhat-Fabrik des Peter Boldrini (Straw Hat Factory of Peter Boldrini) in Vienna.
The beautifully printed and highly decorative letterhead identifies the business at Wieden an der Wien No. 618 and advertises its establishments or sales depots in Vienna, Pesth and Gratz. The document is made out to Jacob Isler & Co., an important Swiss company associated with the historic straw-braid and hat industry of Wohlen in the canton of Aargau.
This is more than simply an old invoice. It documents an actual commercial transaction within the European straw-hat trade during a period when the industry was becoming increasingly international.
The recipient, Jacob Isler & Co., had its origins in Wohlen, Switzerland, where Jacob Isler established the company in the late 18th century. The firm became one of the leading enterprises in the Swiss straw-braid industry, with its products being traded internationally. The Swiss Straw Foundation records the rapid expansion of Swiss straw trading during the first half of the 19th century, while Museum Aargau describes Jacob Isler & Co. as one of the important companies in the development of Aargau's straw industry.
The Vienna connection is independently supported by a contemporary Vienna directory, which lists Peter Boldrini as an exclusively privileged straw-hat factory (k.k. ausschl. priv.) at Wieden No. 618, together with a depot in the city. This corresponds remarkably well with the address printed on the present invoice.
Document details
Date: 1 April 1849
Place: Vienna, Austrian Empire
Manufacturer: Peter Boldrini Strohhat-Fabrik
Address: Wieden an der Wien No. 618
Recipient: Jacob Isler & Co.
Business: Straw hats / straw-hat manufacture and trade
Other locations printed on letterhead: Pesth and Gratz
Document type: Original handwritten commercial invoice
Period: Mid-19th century
Language: German
Currency/accounting: Contemporary handwritten commercial accounting
The invoice contains numerous handwritten entries recording quantities, prices and corresponding amounts, providing a fascinating glimpse into the day-to-day commercial administration of a 19th-century manufacturing business.
The letterhead itself is especially attractive, featuring elaborate 19th-century typographic ornamentation, the Austrian imperial eagle, the prominent name PETER BOLDRINI, and references to the firm's locations and depots.
Good antique condition for its age, with the expected signs of approximately 177 years of age.
The document retains its original period character, including:
clearly visible horizontal and vertical fold lines;
age-related toning and natural paper discolouration;
light foxing and staining;
areas of fading to the handwritten entries;
minor handling and storage marks;
some wear consistent with a genuine 19th-century commercial document.
The handwriting remains sufficiently visible to appreciate the commercial nature and historical details of the invoice. Please examine all supplied high-resolution photographs carefully, as the photographs form an important part of the condition description.
Why this is an interesting collectible
This original invoice would make an excellent addition to collections specialising in:
19th-century European history Austrian Empire Vienna history commercial correspondence business ephemera invoices and account documents straw-hat history textile and fashion history Swiss straw industry Jacob Isler & Co. historical advertising and letterheads
The connection between Peter Boldrini in Vienna and Jacob Isler & Co. in Switzerland gives this otherwise ephemeral business document an unusually interesting international dimension.
It is a genuine surviving piece of commercial paperwork from 1 April 1849, preserved from the working world of European manufacturing and trade.
A particularly attractive item for the collector of original 19th-century documents, historical invoices and commercial ephemera.
Welcome to my weekly philatelic listings!
After over 50 wonderful years of passionately building my personal stamp collection, I am entering a new chapter of retirement and offering portions of my cherished accumulation to the collecting community. As a retiree, parting with these pieces helps support my next journey, and as a first-time online seller, I deeply appreciate your patience and understanding as I learn the ropes.
I will be adding new items every week, so I warmly invite you to save my seller profile and keep checking back to see what becomes available.
My absolute priority is your complete satisfaction. I take pride in complete honesty, accurate descriptions, and fair dealing. If you have any questions, or if there is ever anything I can do to assure your happiness with a purchase, please reach out. Thank you for looking and for helping a lifelong collector pass the torch!
.jpg)
