Value of types of ephemera

I have a group of letters from commercial companies circa 1880-1882.

They are from early gas light companies and each is a handwritten correspondence with another company inquiring about product prices and shipping prices.
Each is on Company stationery and signed by the sender. Nobody famous but execs of the gas light cos. They are attractive and a glimpse into an earlier world.
Do such items have any significant value in the ephemera field.

 

I'd Google old Letterheads & Bills to get a sense of the general prices.If Your piece was for a particularly rare/short-lived Gas Light /Lamp Co. it might be desirable to a limited field of gaslight/incandescent collectors.Advert Ephemera like this would be the most in demand.
PS-Check those Co. Execs signatures just to make sure they're 'nobodies'.

 

May we see an example?

Debora

 

Here is an example

 

Your recommendation was right on. The next letter I examined was from Wm. Congdon Taber, a prominent citizen of New Bedford with ties to Frederick Douglas. Thanks much for the suggestion.

Any books or comprehensive works on ephemera you can recommend?

 

Congrats on the Taber/Douglass connection ! When you search add that extra 's' to Douglass' last name.I'd just hit Ebay/Google & Ephemera For Sale Sites-and good luck !

 

Thank you!

 

Will do. Thanks for the hint.

 

Collectors generally collect certain industries such as early automotive, ammunition/hunting goods manufacturers, or breweries to name a few of the more popular ones. Good graphics can also add to collectivity with letterheads showing factories, intricate logos, and the goods being peddled adding to value.

 

Thank you for sharing your experience in this wide and fascinating field.

 

Joe's spot on,and generally the larger the piece paper-wise of ephemera the greater the value ie: a Handbill/Broadside might trump a Trade Card,a Handbill/Broadside would generally be trumped by a Poster-size matters !
PS-Size goes out the window if your piece happens to be a Carte De Visite' w/ an authenticated 'A. Lincoln' war signature.

 

I appreciate your comments and am enthusiastic about hopefully attending an ephemera show in Boxboro MA in June.

 

Best way to learn,from pros/hands on.

 

I am going to join the Ephemera society too!

 

That's good to know.

 

Ummm, pricey membership, no??? Just found it!! But LOOKS FASCINATING!!!

 

I too thought it was pretty pricey.
I figure you only live once and besides some bit of wisdom or information one might discover as a member could result in a profitable opportunity.