1907 French Bill of Exchange – Mas & Giroud, Lyon

Original French bill of exchange dated 12 February 1907, issued in Lyon by Mas & Giroud, manufacturers of iron and copper beds and metal furnishings.

This striking early 20th-century commercial document features an elaborate illustrated letterhead for Mas & Giroud, showing their Lyon manufacturing premises together with the wording “Manufacture de Lits en Fer & en Cuivre”.

The company also advertised metal bed bases and steel springs for seats and mattresses, under the registered trade name “Au Soleil”, from its premises at 254–256 Cours Lafayette, Lyon.

Completed by hand, the bill records an amount of 61.50 francs and was addressed to Salvat Fils, a hardware merchant in Seyne, Basses-Alpes.

Numerous period banking and commercial markings remain visible across the front, together with an original 5-centime French fiscal stamp. The reverse preserves further handwritten endorsements, signatures and banking stamps, documenting the circulation and processing of the bill.

The combination of industrial architecture, elegant typography, manuscript entries and layered banking marks gives this document particularly strong visual character.

A fascinating example of French banking ephemera and industrial history, ideal for collectors of antique commercial paper, historic financial documents and early 20th-century French ephemera.

Details

Origin: Lyon, France
Date: 12 February 1907
Company: Mas & Giroud
Trade: Iron and copper beds, metal furnishings and springs
Document: Original bill of exchange / commercial draft
Amount: 61.50 francs
Recipient: Salvat Fils, Seyne, Basses-Alpes
Features: Illustrated factory letterhead, handwritten entries, banking stamps, endorsements and fiscal stamp
Language: French
Period: Early 20th century
Dimensions: 27.5 × 10.5 cm (10.8 × 4.1 in)

Condition

Very good antique condition with normal signs of age and commercial use, including light toning, minor marks and handling wear. Handwritten annotations, bank stamps and fiscal markings form part of the document’s original history. Please refer closely to the photographs for condition and details.

Please note: the frame and decorative accessories shown in styled photographs are for display purposes only and are not included in the sale.