Vintage Early 20th Century “Overdue Account Reminders” Boxed Set Criterion #1733

Vintage Early 20th Century “Overdue Account Reminders” Boxed Set – Criterion No. 1733 | c.1905–1925

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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.

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A fascinating survival from an era when customer accounts were managed with handwritten ledgers, postal orders, and impeccable politeness—even when demanding immediate payment!

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✨ 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.”

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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.

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📜 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.

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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:

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“This account being overdue, a remittance per return will oblige.”

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“Fearing this account has escaped your notice…”

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“Frequent applications having been made… proceedings will be taken if not paid within seven days.”

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“Your esteemed order… kindly favour us with a Postal Order…”

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These reminders, ranging from graciously polite to decidedly stern, elevate this item beyond simple stationery. It is a miniature archive of Edwardian business etiquette.

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🎨 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.

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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.

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A small printed stamp reads “Criterion” along with “S. & D. B. No. 1733”—the original stock reference number for stationers of the period.

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📦 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

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Edges lightly scuffed

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Interior rolls are largely clean, vivid, and intact

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The internal cardboard separators are original and fully present

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The bottom lining paper shows light age marks

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Despite its years, this set remains impressively complete and visually striking, with all eight original rolls still included—an uncommon find.

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📐 Approximate Measurements

Box: approx. 18.5 cm x 14.5 cm x 3 cm

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Eight internal rolls; originally 40 labels of each (320 total)

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💡 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

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It makes a superb addition to a shop display, office desk, study, or cabinet of curiosities.

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🎁 Perfect Gift For

>Historians

>Accountants with a sense of humour

>Vintage typography lovers

>Ephemera collectors

>Anyone fascinated by early 20th-century life and work