1866 French Saddler & Coachbuilder Invoice – Guépet, Chalon-sur-Saône

Original French ephemera: a commercial account and invoice dated 1866, issued by Guépet, a saddler and coachbuilder established at 14 Rue de l’Obélisque in Chalon-sur-Saône.

The document features a particularly attractive illustrated letterhead showing a horse-drawn carriage with two horses and its driver, accompanied by the trade description “Sellier Carrossier.”

The printed heading also states that the business stored carriages and supplied everything related to saddlery, providing a vivid glimpse into the horse-drawn transport trade of nineteenth-century France.

The handwritten account contains numerous dated entries for repairs, fittings and supplies connected with carriages, harness and equestrian equipment. Among the visible entries are references to items such as straps, sponges, a whip, stirrups and various repair or fitting work, with individual prices recorded in the accounting columns.

The document is dated 24 December 1866, written on the sheet as “24 Xbre 1866”, and appears to summarise a running account containing entries from different months of the year.

Presented as a folded two-page sheet, the account continues across the interior, while the reverse bears an additional handwritten inscription.

A beautiful piece of nineteenth-century French commercial ephemera combining equestrian history, traditional craftsmanship, carriage transport and decorative illustrated letterhead design.

Details

• Origin: France
• Date: 24 December 1866
• Business: Guépet
• Trade: Saddler & coachbuilder
• Location: Chalon-sur-Saône, France
• Address: 14 Rue de l’Obélisque
• Type: Commercial invoice / running account
• Industry: Saddlery, carriage trade and horse-drawn transport
• Language: French
• Folded two-page document
• Illustrated horse-drawn carriage letterhead
• Handwritten monthly account entries
• Carriage and saddlery repairs and supplies
• Handwritten inscription on reverse
• Original antique document, not a reproduction or digital download

Dimensions

• Folded / closed: approx. 27.5 × 21.5 cm
• Open: approx. 27.5 × 43 cm
  (height × width)

Condition

Authentic nineteenth-century paper with age-related toning, scattered marks, light foxing and staining consistent with its age and use.

The document shows visible original fold lines, light creasing and general handling wear. The edges and corners show minor age-related wear, and a small puncture or tear is visible on the opened sheet.

Some handwritten and printed elements show faintly through the paper from the reverse, as expected with a thin period document.

Despite these signs of age and use, the illustrated letterhead, handwritten account entries and accounting columns remain clearly visible overall.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

You will receive the exact original folded document shown in the photographs.

Frame and decorative accessories are not included.