Rossman & Mcdonnell. Billhead For Lumber And Building Materials.

Publication: Seattle, Washington Territory: April 6, 1889,

7" x 8-1/4." Billhead for Rossman & McDonnell, Manufacturers of Lumber, Lath, Shingles, Mouldings and Pickets, with offices at Room 9, Kilgen Block, Second St., Near Cherry and Mills at Salmon Bay. Capt. Bailey was billed $80.28 for building materials including rustic siding, flooring and dimensional lumber. "Recd Payt" is written on the billhead and signed "Rossman & McDonnell."

Exactly two months later, on June 6, 1889, the fire swept through the city's business district. In the first post-fire advertisement we have located, published June 29 in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the firm announced that it had "a good stock of lumber on hand" and was prepared to "fill all contracts with promptness and dispatch," but instructed customers to "Send order to BALLARD, W.T." By July 17, just 41 days after the fire, Rossman & McDonnell was back at its original location at Room 9, Kilgen Block, Second Street, between Cherry and James.

Tri-folded billhead with three vertical creases, 1/4" closed tear to top edge, written in cursive in black ink, legible, else very good.