Manuscript Group 1547, Guide to the L.E. Breland, Engrosser,Papers 1942-1983 (bulk 1953-1983)
TABLE OF CONTENTSDescriptive Summary Container List |
 MG 1547 The New Jersey Historical Society Finding aid encoded by Julia Telonidis. April 2005. Production of the EAD 2002 version of this finding aid was made possible by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Finding aid written in English. Biographical NoteL.E. Breland ran an illuminating and engrossing business in Pennsauken, New Jersey. Return to the Table of Contents Scope and Content NoteThis collection contains papers, business ledgers, books, and a scrapbook with sketches of L.E. Breland’s work. The majority of papers are business-related. There are invoices from the Keystone Stationary Company as well as correspondences with Cooper, Dennison and Walkden, Ltd. of London. The collection also contains a memo with excerpts from a letter written by well-known engrosser and teacher Henry P. Behrensmeyer. The letter provides advice on engrossing such as the best types of ink for lettering or how to properly erase errors. The collection also contains letterhead and envelopes from Breland’s business. Medieval Alphabets and Initials provides color examples from the 9th to 16th century. There are three letters from Mrs. Fanny Howe in the collection. Mrs. Howe was a Philadelphia artist and wife of well-known engrosser Charlton V. Howe. In the letters Howe writes about various topics including being ill, her nephew selling the Howe Engrossing Studio, and her gratitude for Breland’s friendship over the years. There are also letters from collectors asking Breland to contact Mrs. Howe or her nephew about any of Charlton’s penmanship items that might be available for sale. There is one letter written by Howe’s nephew discussing items he might sell to collectors. The business ledgers date from 1954 to 1983 and were used to keep track of client orders. Most of Breland’s business came from universities throughout the country that needed diplomas engrossed. The ledgers list the name of the institution, how many diplomas or certificates are needed, the cost, and any special requirements such as font size or shading. The collection contains two books on illumination. Illumination is the use of color to decorate or draw attention to a portion of text. The Art of Illuminating contains color examples of illuminations from the 6th to 16th century. The collection also contains Breland’s scrapbook with sketches of designs and lettering. There are five Supreme Court certificates with errors. There are also three university diplomas with mistakes. There is an illuminated certificate of appreciation from the Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland. There is also a copy of an illuminated certificate of appreciation for Thomas G. James, MD of Englewood Hospital for his ten years as president of the staff. The collection also includes two blank military honor roll sheets. Return to the Table of Contents Return to the Table of Contents Related MaterialEngrossing items given to NJHS museum — Museum ID 2002.25 Return to the Table of Contents Administrative InformationPreferred CitationThis collection should be cited as: Manuscript Group 1547, Guide to the L.E. Breland, Engrosser, Papers, The New Jersey Historical Society. Acquisition InformationThis collection was donated by Mr. Doug Beavers in 2002. Return to the Table of Contents Container List |
