This is an original antique absinthe distillery money order (mandat) from the Dutheil distillery in Limoages, France.

In the middle to late 1800's, money orders were the most popular way of exchanging payment between businesses. They continued their popularity into the beginning of the 20th century, until direct commercial checking immurged as an easier and less expensive payment alternative.

The artwork and text used on this money order were originally made by pressing an engraved copper plate to a rubber stamp which would then have been used to transfer the image onto the paper. Each copper plate would have been engraved, or carved, entirely by hand and was then and is still today, considered true works of art.

The printing was done by an offset lithograph press. This printing technique originated in England in the 1870's and revolutionized the printing world by providing a low cost method of reproducing artwork in large volumes. Offset printing is still in use today as a way of economically producing large quantities of high quality prints that requires very little maintenance.

Wonderful piece of absinthe history. Perfect for framing.

• Dated: September 21, 1903.
• Measures approx. 11" x 4".
• Made in France.