1867 Henry W Corbett Signed Portland Oregon Billhead Invoice Oregon Iron Company For Sale

This is an exceptional, historically significant document pair representing early Pacific Northwest economic history: an 1867 illustrated merchant billhead invoice from the prominent Portland pioneer, businessman, and U.S. Senator Henry W. Corbett, issued directly to the Oregon Iron Company.

The year 1867 is a landmark date for the Oregon Iron Company, as it was the exact year they successfully blew their first blast and produced the very first pig iron on the Pacific Coast at their smelter in Oswego (now Lake Oswego).

Document Analysis & Context

• The Seller (Henry W. Corbett): Corbett arrived in Portland in 1851 and built a massive mercantile empire. In 1867—the exact year of this invoice—he was elected to the United States Senate and also bought a controlling interest in Portland's First National Bank.

• The Buyer (Oregon Iron Company): Formed by elite local capitalists (including Corbett himself, Henry Failing, and W.S. Ladd), this invoice documents the precise operational supplies (hardware, tools, and cutlery) needed to run the mining and smelting community at Oswego during its inaugural production year.

• The Revenue Stamp: Features a 2-cent orange Washington internal revenue stamp tied to the left margin with a clean circular handstamp cancel. The 1862 Revenue Act required stamps on receipts and financial documents to pay for Civil War debt.

Front TranscriptionLeft Vignette (The Store Directory)

FIRST FLOOR.

• Hardware,

• Saddleryware,

• Groceries,

• Agricultural Implements,

• Paints, Oils,

• Powder,

• Shot & Lead.

UP STAIRS.

• Dry Goods,

• Boots, Shoes,

• Hats,

• Yankee Notions,

• Wall Paper.

Main Invoice Header

ESTABLISHED IN 1851.

Portland, 1st May 1867

M Oregon Iron Company

BOUGHT OF HENRY W. CORBETT,

CORNER OAK & FRONT STREET.

Payable in U.S. Gold Coin

Manifest LedgerQty / UnitItem DescriptionPriceTotal1 DozIron Screws5.001 —Mop Stick.503 DozAssorted Tacks.752.25$\frac{1}{2}$ GroTable Cutlery 2177 P13.506.751 DozClothes Lines3.501 .Girdles.503 .Iron Table Spoons.752.2512Hindostan Oil Stones.172.04 [corrected to 2.89]1 GroPatent Clothes Pins2.002Sad Irons (16 lbs @ 9¢)1.44$\frac{1}{2}$ DozPocket Knives9.00TOTAL:$36.08

Manuscript Receipt Signature:

Paid

H. W. Corbett

Reverse Transcription

The back of the document features the standard file-fold docketing text used by clerks to quickly identify invoices when stored flat in a letter box or safe drawer:

H.W. Corbett

May 1st 1867

$36.08

(Visible in the top right corner is a crisp, faint colorless circular embossed watermark seal from the paper manufacturer).

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