Collection

Egypt 1911 — The Odeon Hall, Cairo Gold Watch Repair Invoice

Early 1911 invoice from The Odeon Hall in Cairo, one of the city’s most modern pre-war establishments combining gramophone sales, watchmaking, and luxury retail. Issued for the repair of a gold watch, the bilingual French–Arabic letterhead advertises phonographs, records, and precision horological services, reflecting Egypt’s rapid adoption of European technology and leisure culture. The typographic layout shows a refined pre-war commercial aesthetic: bold trade name, French descriptions with Arabic equivalents, and clean alignment. ... Read more →

Egypt 1931 — Singer Sewing Machine Co. Booklet with Tied Singer Revenues

Original 1931 Singer Sewing Machine Company service and instruction booklet issued in Cairo and bearing multiple Singer-specific revenue stamps tied with dated cancellations. The booklet includes several printed pages detailing machine adjustments, maintenance procedures, and warranty conditions in both English and Arabic, reflecting Singer’s deep integration into the Egyptian consumer market during the interwar period. Of particular significance are the attached Singer-branded revenue stamps—Egypt’s only sector-specific fiscal adhesives—each tied to the booklet with clear 1931 datestamps. ... Read more →

Egypt 1901 — Philibin & Vve. Barrot, Cairo Hardware Merchants (Art Nouveau Letterhead Invoice)

Finely printed 1901 Art Nouveau letterhead invoice from Philibin & Vve. Barrot, a prominent Cairo hardware and ironmongery firm operating near the Central Post Office district. The bilingual French–Arabic masthead features ornamental flourishes, a wide decorative border, and period typography characteristic of turn-of-the-century commercial printing in Egypt. ... Read more →

Egypt 1910 — Riches & Mawas, Cairo–Alexandria–Tanta Commercial Draft for 1600 Piastres

Large-value 1910 commercial draft issued by Riches & Mawas, a multinational British–Levantine trading house active in Cairo, Alexandria, and Tanta. Printed by B. Arnaud (Lyon–Paris–Le Caire), the document features a deep-blue engraved border, a baroque "R&M" monogram, and bilingual French–Arabic monetary text. ... Read more →

Egypt 1927 — Chahine & Sbath Cairo Commercial Draft Endorsed by Banque d’Orient

Commercial draft issued in Cairo on 10 November 1927 by the well-known Levantine merchant house Chahine & Sbath for 250 piastres. Printed by B. Arnaud (Lyon–Paris–Le Caire), the draft features crisp bilingual French–Arabic monetary text and a refined ornamental frame typical of French Mediterranean security printing of the 1920s. ... Read more →

Egypt 1912 — Compagnie des Bateaux Omnibus (Nile Steamer Illustrated Letterhead)

Magnificent illustrated letterhead of the Compagnie des Bateaux Omnibus, the Nile passenger and freight line operating regular services between Cairo, Sakkara, and Fayoum. Issued 17 October 1912 and addressed to the Egyptian Ministry of Public Works, the document reports revenue for operations on the Bahr Youssef Canal during the third quarter of the year. The masthead features a fully engraved Nile steamer flying the company flag, pyramids in the background, and palm-tree framing—one of the most iconic designs used by any Egyptian transport company before World War I. ... Read more →

Egypt 1950 — Jamil Fawzi El-Motei Oldsmobile & Vauxhall Service Station (Heliopolis–Abbassia)

Original 1950 letterhead from Jamil Fawzi El-Motei, official Oldsmobile and Vauxhall service agent in Cairo. The header displays two photographic views of the agency’s modern showroom—one daytime, one illuminated at night—flanking the bilingual workshop identification. The agency operated branches in Abbassia and Heliopolis, serving Egypt’s rapidly expanding post-war automotive market. ... Read more →

Egypt 1908 — Mohammed El Komi Carriage & Automobile Workshop Invoice

Early 1908 invoice from Mohammed El Komi’s carriage and automobile workshop in Cairo, located near the palace of Mazloum Pasha. The illustrated header shows a finely printed horse-drawn carriage, reflecting the transitional era when carriage builders were adapting their workshops to service imported automobiles. The bilingual French–Arabic description lists painting, upholstery, repair, and bespoke manufacturing services. ... Read more →

Egypt 1921 — National Bank of Egypt, Cairo Branch Issued Cheque

Issued cheque from the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), Cairo branch, dated 23 March 1921. Printed in a deep blue guilloche frame with an Art Nouveau–influenced border, the cheque represents the transitional print style used by NBE shortly before the establishment of Egypt’s central banking functions in the early 1920s. The document is completed in manuscript for £E85 and validated by a red diagonal NOT NEGOTIABLE overprint, a violet PASSÉ 24 MARS 1921 settlement stamp, and dual signatures from the branch’s cashier and accountant. ... Read more →