rare 19th century framed and matted dawson brothers fireplace mantel and accessory letterhead

framed c. 1890 american letterhead or receipt from the offices of the dawson bros., chicago, il. the paper document features the names of the founders and date of establishment at the top and a detailed rendering of the factory at 199-207 n. halsted street in the upper left corner. ornate lettering announces the business near the top "office of / dawson bros. / manufacturers of / mantels and grates / fenders, andirons, fire sets, etc. / club house and portable baskets / brass and iron founders and finishers." the receipt is dated july 11, 1890, and records a transaction for $5.00 with cursive lettering printed in dark blue ink and fountain-penned handwriting filling in blanks. henry g. dawson was born in england in 1854, and his brother william was born in 1856, both arriving to the u.s. in december of 1858. by 1880 they lived in chicago and just five years later, william and henry had started their own business manufacturing grates and trimmings for fireplaces. in 1888 their factory was built on north halsted street. in 1899, william was involved in an accident which eventually led to his death. the company remained the dawson bros. even after his death, though henry was the sole owner. a few other dawson brothers housed their professions in the building. henry dawson died in 1919, but the company carried on for several years under the same name. by 1929, a woodworking company had moved into the space in the building. the dawson brothers plant is a historic factory building in the west town neighborhood of chicago. built in 1888, the 5-story brick building has a cast iron front with little ornamentation, and was designed by julius zittel (a 6-story addition was made in 1901).