-40%
Dietrich & Witt Stenotypists (Stenography) Ink Blotter, New Orleans, Louisiana
Dietrich & Witt Stenotypists (Stenography) Ink Blotter, New Orleans, Louisiana

Dietrich & Witt Stenotypists (Stenography) Ink Blotter, New Orleans, Louisiana

$ 2.77

Availability: 100 in stock
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Brand: Dietrich & Witt Stenotypists, New Orleans
  • Date of Creation: 1950s
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Type of Advertising: Advertising Ink Blotter
  • Condition: Fair condition. There is an area of damage to the upper edge about 1.5 inches from the upper left corner. There are also a couple of stains to the right half of the card. On the blotter side of the card, there are several stains, although they don't look like ink blots. Please note that the ruler in the photo is NOT part of the sale. Please see photos. Sold as is.

    Description

    Up for sale is a vintage advertising ink blotter issued by Dietrich & Witt, Stenotypists.  This blotter measures 9 inches wide by just under 4 inches tall and was likely placed in a standard business envelope.
    The firm of Dietrich & Witt had two offices:  one in the National Bank of Commerce Building and the other in the California Company Building.  The phone numbers were RA. 2711 and RA. 3073, respectively.  Although the city is not mentioned, I strongly believe it to be New Orleans, Louisiana.  First, the phone exchange "RA" likely stood for "RAymond", which was used in the Central Business District (CBD) of New Orleans between 1928 and 1957.  Second, there is a "California Building" at the corner of Tulane Avenue and Rampart Street, which was constructed in 1950.  It was originally a commercial building, but has now been converted into luxury condo rentals.  Third, this card was found in a collection of other advertising ink blotters, most of which were definitely tied to New Orleans.  Fourth, in 1964, Dietrich & Witt, Inc. did the stenography for certain hearings into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  The report is available online and has (at the bottom of each page) the following information:  Dietrich & Witt, Inc.  Stenotype Reporters.  National Bank of Commerce Bldg.  New Orleans.
    From the above evidence, this card must date to between 1950 (construction of the California Company Building) and 1957 (last year of the RAymond telephone exchange).
    This firm provided several services including:  court reporting, legal stenography, general stenography, mail advertising, mimeographing, and multiple copy work.  It also provided "fill-in stenographic help for the office" by providing "competent stenographers by the hour for vacation relief or peak periods".  Temporary help agencies were just taking off in the 1950s.
    Please see above for full description of condition (which has some issues) and for photos.  Sold as is.
    Attention US Buyers:  I will ship by USPS First Class Letter (a letter, NOT a parcel) or by USPS Priority Mail, your choice.