1957 French Mushroom Industry Invoice & Bill of Exchange – A. Borde, Saugues

Original French ephemera: a commercial mushroom trade invoice dated 19 January 1957, issued by A. Borde of Saugues, Haute-Loire, a specialist in wild mushrooms, accompanied by its matching bill of exchange.

The invoice features a distinctive mid-century illustrated letterhead headed “Industrie des Champignons – A. Borde – Saugues (Haute-Loire) France”, with stylised mountain scenery and decorative mushroom imagery.

The printed advertising section promotes the registered brand “Roi des Montagnes” and lists several mushroom products, including dried porcini mushrooms, dried morels, dried mousserons, preserved mushrooms and chanterelles.

The invoice, numbered 1046, is addressed to Monsieur Abegy, 61 Rue Clovis Hugues, Marseille.

It records a shipment of dried porcini mushrooms, with a total amount of 7,700 francs.

Accompanying the invoice is its original bill of exchange / commercial draft, dated 19 February 1957 and payable on 28 February 1957 for the same amount of 7,700 francs. The document explicitly refers to the invoice dated 19 January 1957.

The bill of exchange bears commercial and banking markings, handwritten annotations and an original 6-franc French fiscal stamp. Its reverse also carries cancellation and processing marks associated with its circulation for payment.

Together, the two documents form an evocative example of post-war French commercial paperwork connected with the mushroom trade, food distribution and financial settlement practices of the 1950s.

Details

• Origin: France
• Invoice date: 19 January 1957
• Bill of exchange date: 19 February 1957
• Payment date: 28 February 1957
• Business: A. Borde
• Location: Saugues, Haute-Loire, France
• Trade: Mushroom industry / food trade
• Registered brand: Roi des Montagnes
• Recipient: Monsieur Abegy, Marseille
• Invoice number: 1046
• Type: Commercial invoice with associated bill of exchange / draft
• Language: French
• Illustrated mushroom-themed letterhead
• Dried porcini mushrooms invoiced
• Morels, mousserons and chanterelles advertised
• Invoice total: 7,700 francs
• Matching bill of exchange: 7,700 francs
• Original 6-franc fiscal stamp
• Commercial and banking markings
• Double-sided bill of exchange
• Original vintage documents, not reproductions or digital downloads

Dimensions

• Invoice: approx. 27 × 20.5 cm
• Bill of exchange / draft: approx. 27 × 10.5 cm, double-sided
  (height × width)

Condition

Authentic mid-twentieth-century paper with age-related toning, scattered marks and handling wear consistent with its age and commercial use.

The invoice shows light creasing, minor surface marks and visible filing perforations along the left side. The printed mushroom and mountain decoration remains clearly visible overall.

The bill of exchange also shows filing perforations, light handling wear, commercial and banking stamps and handwritten annotations. The original 6-franc fiscal stamp remains attached.

The reverse bears additional cancellation and processing marks.

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

You will receive the exact original invoice and associated bill of exchange shown in the photographs.

Frame and decorative accessories are not included.