Vintage Early 20th Century “Overdue Account Reminders” Boxed Set – Criterion No. 1733 | c.1905–1925
-
Bring a touch of Edwardian office charm to your collection with this wonderfully quirky and exceptionally scarce boxed set of “Overdue Account Reminders,” produced by Criterion in the early 20th century. A true piece of British business history, this complete set includes its original illustrated box and all eight neatly colour-coded rolls of pre-printed adhesive notices, each designed to be gummed onto outstanding invoices.
-
A fascinating survival from an era when customer accounts were managed with handwritten ledgers, postal orders, and impeccable politeness—even when demanding immediate payment!
---
✨ Product Overview
This remarkable set was sold as a professional tool for shopkeepers, tradesmen and clerks who needed to chase overdue bills without drafting a fresh note every time. The cover proudly declares:
“HOW TO GET THE MONEY IN! Gentle and Severe Overdue Account Reminders… Invaluable to every business & profession.”
-
Inside, you’ll find beautifully preserved rolls of printed labels ranging from courteous nudges to firm seven-day warnings. These were ready-gummed, and once moistened, could be affixed directly to a customer’s invoice or envelope.
---
📜 Historical Interest
Dating from around 1905 to 1925, this set represents a unique moment in commercial life—when businesses relied on elegant typography, strong manners, and printed stationery to communicate anything from gentle reminders to urgent final notices.
-
The wording of each slip is a window into a bygone world, reflecting the formal tone and social expectations of the period. Phrases such as:
-
“This account being overdue, a remittance per return will oblige.”
-
“Fearing this account has escaped your notice…”
-
“Frequent applications having been made… proceedings will be taken if not paid within seven days.”
-
“Your esteemed order… kindly favour us with a Postal Order…”
-
These reminders, ranging from graciously polite to decidedly stern, elevate this item beyond simple stationery. It is a miniature archive of Edwardian business etiquette.
---
🎨 Design & Presentation
The box features a wonderfully illustrated cover showing a well-dressed gentleman—top hat, gloves and cane—approaching a bank or payment counter, while a clerk stands behind. The image, printed in a limited palette of greens and blacks, is typical of early Edwardian commercial art.
-
Inside, the eight compartments house rolls of notices in green, red, brown, and teal, each printed with crisp white lettering and still vibrant despite their age.
-
A small printed stamp reads “Criterion” along with “S. & D. B. No. 1733”—the original stock reference number for stationers of the period.
---
📦 Condition
This is an authentic antique item and displays age-related wear entirely consistent with its use and age:
The outer box shows spotting, foxing, and surface marks
-
Edges lightly scuffed
-
Interior rolls are largely clean, vivid, and intact
-
The internal cardboard separators are original and fully present
-
The bottom lining paper shows light age marks
-
Despite its years, this set remains impressively complete and visually striking, with all eight original rolls still included—an uncommon find.
---
📐 Approximate Measurements
Box: approx. 18.5 cm x 14.5 cm x 3 cm
-
Eight internal rolls; originally 40 labels of each (320 total)
---
💡 A Wonderful Piece for Collectors
This Edwardian business ephemera set is ideal for collectors of:
Antique stationery
Business and office history
Print and typography
Social history artefacts
Advertising and packaging
Quirky curios and conversational display pieces
-
It makes a superb addition to a shop display, office desk, study, or cabinet of curiosities.
---
🎁 Perfect Gift For
>Historians
>Accountants with a sense of humour
>Vintage typography lovers
>Ephemera collectors
>Anyone fascinated by early 20th-century life and work
