Having designed letterhead for clients, as part of school projects, and for my own business I have some experience in how difficult it can be. Really. It's not easy. I recently found a great blog called
Letterheady that showcases a wide arrange of historic (and some recent) examples of letterhead. It's great for inspiration and historic perspective. Here are a few of my favorites: (
all found on Letterheady)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCGoQjbD1WdNgTT_JF5Y2JZ987qLiRv8z-db1KHB_ObY9s-VBi8fB2QWPsWU8uLn4agAeJ03bU4YpD0jmZcKSMh1L8lI3VvRcN4Jua5iSOBYiYXX10fdLJEz4RKoc7VXrAmg2qcNltNei/s400/Letterheady-Dada-1920.jpg)
This one blows my mind. It's from 1920. Look at the use of type and negative space. It seems like European designers are willing to take risks in a way that American designers aren't. Or maybe I'm just talking about me. Either way, I admire their freedom. (and their TV commercials - so funny!)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2rmrBfhKzhcQFMu8tRCotJ2sM1uHViME-NJCiKLc9H9vUN7tb4WsMFiXnLyFsNIr0tvPAaZQ92_04n0Ymod342d3zL5cgMEB5WWmSo2uvEJBZLOMWiLEJrOIBlZ5eWa3dwNTerj0UZ5T/s400/Letterheady-Anheuser-Busch-1934.jpg)
As a point of comparison here is letterhead from Anheuser-Busch in 1934.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXralJNSPfhjIAZOwHWun1Z1RnsGSyVZ4EC2XfpG1QUAYc3GMc_MFcbVU5txGolYXp99eZ4KsekYn1JJEOiHEcohhGpKdVmDh3b8TkcpMjF33j07MJi2paVc_CPHLte69OjVkk9zsKDW60/s400/Letterheady-NASA-1961.jpg)
This one is from NASA in 1961. I like the crazy all-caps and letterspacing. Hard to read but definitely new and space-agey.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVviCb2dO0fbLFAIMg1GqPuuSL-b5SE31R8MdJCX18y_anCFniO1L3Lfw_nrEActVg4HZO2-qbF19oCL2tW6Oy__RwY23YtKzmoTdqGx9BEjH4_CRnrSk1qjAew10j2ISJSe9C_nTEbZ2/s400/Letterheady-PlaystreetInc-1969.jpg)
Playstreet Inc, 1969. God love the 60's.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zr0DEcuHFx-aI0rA7-Uf6kTArmCv1h3pfbCbiTMdacK4tkktXDkyiZDAvOaOjzgD_yDQQEQkyiM1o9ytt563uGDz1T-2ulZ8SjV8jN1DtAy-pY15bMn35nVVd-rrzUNBVmDrqNvOlRcr/s400/Letterheady-VisitorsCenter-1973.jpg)
This is for a Visitors Center in Columbus, Indiana. 1973. I think it's so cute and playful. Fun! Almost fun enough to make me want to visit Indiana.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_cImFqMMlHxdJ5niZp2HkcZIwB812TVQXERFPjiI8P4Z9cuKIpr60WCCvCBfP_r9g2iCwCTVGmwITw_nnC_OU2nV9SxiyY7r8ensrkY7sA_F1YJI4Bb36ZrD0gMD17NsGDNuMaMODK9y/s400/Letterheady-PixelFlix-2009.jpg)
If I did my job correctly you will see that this 2009 letterhead from Pixel Flix has influences that go back to 80 years or more. Pretty cool, right?