Breger & Javal Produce Probably the Most Elaborate and Minutely Detailed Printer's Billhead of the 19th Century

6/28/1901
Breger & Duval enlargement of center of billhead
Creative Commons LicenseJeremy Norman Collection of Images - Creative Commons
If you view the enlargement of this image you will see remarkable detail in the foreground, including individual people, but also detail of buildings in the far distance in the image..
Breger & Duval detail of left of billhead
Creative Commons LicenseJeremy Norman Collection of Images - Creative Commons
It seems that a significant part of Breger & Duval's business was printing on metal. That department and the scenery behind it is illustrated in this detail. In the far distance the Eiffel Tower is visible in the left upper corner of the image.
Breger & Duval billhead details of pressroom.
Creative Commons LicenseJeremy Norman Collection of Images - Creative Commons
The very long and deep pressroom contains many steam-powered lithographic presses and some hand-presses. A very large steam engine is visible at the far end of the room. It appears that the belt drives powering the printing machines were in the basement for safety. The room appears to be very well lit with natural light from windows and skylights. The detail shown in the small engraving, with men operating various presses and no women visible, is remarkable.
Detail map of Paris, Île-de-France, France

A: Paris, Île-de-France, France

Breger & Javal engraved billhead
Creative Commons LicenseJeremy Norman Collection of Images - Creative Commons
The level of detail and quality of the engraving on this billhead is absolutely remarkable, with three detailed views of the exterior of the overall plant and its surroundings, and the interior of the pressroom. Not only are the buildings and scenery show but the views of the people and carriages have individual details.
For several years I have collected billhead from printers that reflect the character of their business. The most elaborate that I found is this billhead from the very high quality lithographic establishment of Breger & Javal of Paris.

Timeline Themes

Printing by Machine
Prints and Printmaking
Breger & Duval enlargement of center of billhead
Creative Commons LicenseJeremy Norman Collection of Images - Creative Commons
If you view the enlargement of this image you will see remarkable detail in the foreground, including individual people, but also detail of buildings in the far distance in the image..
Breger & Duval detail of left of billhead
Creative Commons LicenseJeremy Norman Collection of Images - Creative Commons
It seems that a significant part of Breger & Duval's business was printing on metal. That department and the scenery behind it is illustrated in this detail. In the far distance the Eiffel Tower is visible in the left upper corner of the image.
Breger & Duval billhead details of pressroom.
Creative Commons LicenseJeremy Norman Collection of Images - Creative Commons
The very long and deep pressroom contains many steam-powered lithographic presses and some hand-presses. A very large steam engine is visible at the far end of the room. It appears that the belt drives powering the printing machines were in the basement for safety. The room appears to be very well lit with natural light from windows and skylights. The detail shown in the small engraving, with men operating various presses and no women visible, is remarkable.