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Detroit Publishing Company Collection
645655
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Detroit Publishing Company collection
Creator:
Detroit Publishing Co.
Identifier/Call Number: 645655
Physical Description:
21.58 Linear Feet
(14 boxes, 3 oversize folders)
Date (inclusive): approximately 1898-1929
Abstract: Over 5,000 color postcards, prints, and
print proofs made by the Detroit Publishing Company in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries. Also photographs by William Henry Jackson, who was a partner in the
business.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. Detroit Publishing Company collection, The Huntington Library,
San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased by the Library Collectors' Council from Ursus Rare Books, January 21, 2006.
The Detroit Publishing Company was originally founded as the Detroit Photographic Company
in the late 1890s by William A. Livingstone Jr. and Edwin H. Husher in Detroit, Michigan.
The firm became the Detroit Publishing Company in 1905 and was renowned for the brilliant
color, technical precision, and diverse subject range of their postcards. They had obtained
the exclusive rights to the Swiss "Photochrom" process, a technology that added color to
black-and-white photographs using lithography, which preceded the invention of color
photography. The process was a carefully guarded secret that the company employed to great
success, mass-producing postcards and prints of a wide variety of subjects. In 1897,
photographer William Henry Jackson joined the firm, adding his thousands of negatives
(photographs) to the firm's inventory. He was also responsible for acquiring images by
several other professional photographers. As newer printing methods eventually led to more
competition and fewer sales, the company was dissolved in 1932.
A collection of over 5,000 color postcards, prints, and proof prints of American views
produced by the Detroit Publishing Company approximately 1898 to the late 1920s. The
company's distinctive postcards were made using their exclusive "Photochrom" process that
combined photographic negatives and color lithography to create the look of early color
photographs. This collection was assembled by a printing foreman for the company and
includes several trial press runs and proof sheets with the printing register marks on the
edges. There are 51 oversize color prints, also created using the photo-lithographic
process, including one sheet with 24 postcard-size views. Also included are 105 photographs
of American travel views and scenery, chiefly 7 x 10 inches, attributed to William Henry
Jackson, with some bearing his credit. A few photographs have printed captions like those
that appear on postcards.
The Detroit Publishing Company was noted for the breadth of topics, people, activity, and
industry depicted in their postcards, chronicling American life shortly before and after the
turn of the 20th century. In addition to extensive scenes from 42 U.S. states and a few
foreign countries, imagery depicts topics such as farming, museums, World War I, naval
ships, and cowboys. There are also several postcards of African Americans, some depicting
racist stereotypes and containing racist captions.
Processed by Suzanne Oatey in August 2023.
Organized in four series:
- 1. Postcards
- 2. Photographic prints with lithographic coloring
- 3. Oversize prints
- 4. Photographs
Subjects and Indexing Terms
African Americans -- Pictorial works
African Americans -- Social conditions --
To 1964
Americana -- Pictorial works
Cities and towns -- Pictorial works
Color printing -- History
Indians of North America -- Pictorial works
Lithography -- 20th century
Monuments -- Pictorial works
Printing -- History
Tourism – United States
United States -- Description and travel
Lithographs--Color
Photographs
Photomechanical prints
Postcards
Souvenirs
Jackson, William Henry, 1843-1942, photographer
Detroit Publishing Co.
Fred Harvey (Firm)