 
What do Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali and Albert Einstein have in common? In addition to being recognized universally as three of the most influential people of all time, they all used personal letterheads.
Individuals and companies in all industries make it a point to have their own unique letterhead, and for good reason. Letterheads are effective branding and marketing tools. In addition to being used for official letters and business transactions, they carry a company’s corporate identity and can further boost its reputation. Letterheads helped even icons like Elvis, Ali and Einstein to reach out to both business partners and supporters. Sending a letterhead as opposed to an ordinary piece of paper can really make a huge difference.
We’ve compiled 40 vintage personal letterheads that belong to some amazing people we’re sure you know or at least have heard about. Kudos to Shaun Usher and the entire Letterheady team, as well as the other sources cited for digging up these letterhead treasures. Meanwhile, if you’re planning to make your own letterhead, have them printed by a trusted company to be assured of clear and long lasting prints. Who knows, 50 years from now, your personal letterhead might be included in a list like this one.
Disclaimer: Images on this page are not owned by UPrinting and are used solely for design inspiration.
Les Paul, 1951
Arguably Les Paul’s letterhead could have been better if it featured his famous signature.

rrauction.com
Princess Diana, 1997
Princess Diana’s personal brand shines through in this letterhead.

Jeremy Essex via Letterheady
Marilyn Monroe, 1958
This embossed letterhead is more understated than is typical of the era.

Danny Gifford
Ray Charles, 1990
It’s not clear if Ray Charles himself decided on the sheet music motif, but it’s hard to imagine a more appropriate letterhead design.

T. Parker via Letterheady
Chuck Jones, 1986
Chuck Jones’s impeccable sense of timing and dynamics shows off even on a single sheet of paper.

autographauctions.co.uk
Ozzy Osbourne, 2011
This mildly amusing example from Ozzy is oddly appropriate.

Rolling Stone Magazine via Letterheady
Hughes Entertainment (John Hughes), c.1990
The iconic director’s personalized letterhead is pure Hollywood.

James Hughes, via Letterheady
Elizabeth Taylor, 1985
The thin font shows off the late Liz Taylor’s elegance and style.

Bonham’s Auctions via Letterheady
Bob Kane
Bob Kane’s custom letterhead evokes a less gritty era for comics than most of us remember.

Jason P. via Letterheady
Andy Warhol
Many people may be coping Warhol’s style today, but at the time, there was nothing quite like it.

Grace via Letterheady
Arnold Schwarzenegger, 1989
Arnie knew his name was all that was needed to make this letterhead stand out.

lelands.com
Abraham Lincoln, 1860
These types of prints would have been popular in the 1860’s.

liveauctioneers.com
Ray Bradbury, c.1998
Ray Bradbury’s nifty letterhead recalls imagery from his classic works.

Fritz via Letterheady
Pat Sullivan, c.1918
This letterhead would have been mind-blowing for that era.

Hake’s American Collectibles
Edward VIII, 1936
If you ever have a title that long, a letterhead would be a better place for it than a business card.

vintagememorabilia.com
Rocky Marciano, 1970
When your face is your brand, you might want a letterhead like this.

Frank via Letterheady
Robert Ripley, 1932
Robert Ripley didn’t want to leave any marketing possibility to chance.

Geraldine via Letterheads
Harry Houdini, 1913
Portrait letterheads aren’t generally popular now, but they were the rage back then.

Pyramid Gallery
Bill Watterson, late-1980s
Bill Watterson’s letterhead shows off his two most beloved characters in a typical scene.

ignatz.brinkster.net
Frank Zappa, 1986
Frank Zappa’s letterhead branding is a post-modern mystery. Much like his music.

Letters of Note
J. K. Rowling, 2009
This magical example is surely the favorite of many of our readers.

Dan Lacey via Letterheady
Dan Brown, 2009
Straightforward. No obvious plot twists here.

Centralia Masons via Letterheady
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