1857 Housatonic Railroad / New England Car Spring Co Broadway NYC Billhead
$ 26.4
Description
1857 Housatonic Railroad / New England Car Spring Co Broadway NYC Billhead. Document Summary Date: September 22, 1857 Location: New York City To: The Housatonic Rail Road From: The New England Car Spring Co., 104 Broadway, New York Amount: $106.50 Approved by: A. Winslow, M.M. (likely Master Mechanic) Printed vignette: “GOODYEAR’S PATENT 1849” featuring an early locomotive with passenger and freight cars 📜 Transcription Header: GOODYEAR’S PATENT 1849 (locomotive vignette) New York, Sept. 22, 1857 The Housatonic R. R. Co. Bought of the New England Car Spring Co. 104 Broadway, New York. Body: 60 Springs 6–2 Lns 30 ½ @ 1¾¢ — $106.50 Red stamp: APPROVED A. Winslow, M.M. Back endorsement: 1857 New England Car Spring Co. $106.50 ⚙️ Historical Context This invoice dates from the mid-19th century, during a crucial period of technological transition in U.S. railroads — when rubber and steel suspension innovations began improving both freight and passenger comfort. The New England Car Spring Company, located at 104 Broadway in New York, specialized in rubber and composite railway springs manufactured under Charles Goodyear’s 1849 patent. Goodyear’s pioneering vulcanization process had only been developed a few years earlier, and this “Goodyear’s Patent” mark on the vignette underscores the commercial pride of that innovation. The Housatonic Rail Road, then operating independently between Bridgeport, CT and the Berkshires, was already running mixed freight and passenger service through rugged, uneven terrain. Springs of this kind — likely Goodyear rubber-buffer or composite metal springs — were essential for rolling stock suspension systems, cushioning freight cars and improving ride stability. A. Winslow, who approved the order, was probably the Master Mechanic at one of the Housatonic’s maintenance shops (possibly Bridgeport or Great Barrington), responsible for mechanical oversight of the line’s locomotives and rolling stock. The larger sheet measures approx. 6 1/4" x 8 3/8" **Shipped securely inside a poly sleeve sandwiched in cardboard, inside a rigid mailer via USPS Ground Advantage service w/ tracking** Click HERE to see postcards I have available. Click HERE to see transit and trade tokens I have available. Click HERE to see billheads I have available. Click HERE to see letterheads I have available. For U.S. based orders, the shipping cost for the first purchase is $4.00 and no extra cost for additional similar items such as billheads, letterheads, tickets, patches, post cards, trade cards, stock certificates that can safely be shipped in the same package. I have over 58,000 unique items here on eBay - Click HERE to visit my store & save with combined shipping for multiple buys. For U.S. orders on a PC, use the "add to cart" feature to select multiple items before paying. If the cart does not combine shipping costs, I will refund excess fees as I pack your order the following morning. I have enjoyed buying and selling vintage collectibles for over 40 years. Unless noted otherwise, all items I offer are original and not reproductions. Please review photos for condition issues (if any) as they are part of the description, and contact me with questions before bidding or buying. All items are securely packed and shipped via USPS. Please rely on my 25+ yr. 10,000+ 99.9% feedback rating as a guide to your buying decision. I hope all is well with you and your family — thanks for stopping by! – Jerry
