Rare Books

Trial proofs

Description: Examples of postcards with no printing on front or back, some with vertical lettering, some full bleed images with no border.
Type: Rare Books(Opens in new tab)
Production date: approximately 1898-1929.
Call number: 645655
Creator: Detroit Publishing Company(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Purchased by the Library Collectors' Council from Ursus Rare Books, January 21, 2006.
Restrictions: Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.
Rights: 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.

Proof print of postcard images; scenic prints

Rare Books

A collection of over 5,000 color postcards, prints, and print proofs 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 print 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, mostly of the American West, 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.

645655

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Photographic prints with lithographic coloring

Rare Books

Approximately 300 color "Photochrom" prints of various locations and subjects, generally 3.75 x 7 to 7 x 9 inches. Most are on proof paper with no printed text, though some have printed captions like those on postcards.

645655

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Oversize prints

Rare Books

This series contains 51 large color prints, generally 11 x 18 inches to 22 x 34 inches in size. Includes several proof prints with lithographic markings, and some lithographs of artwork. One photograph is included here, with the matching print.

645655

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Postcards

Rare Books

Over 5,000 color "Photochrom" postcards created using color lithography and a photograph. These postcards did not circulate and have no writing on them. Subjects include people, activities, city scenes, small towns, farming and agriculture, steel and heavy manufacturing, harbors and shipping, mansions, landmarks, and many others. Each box contains approximately 500 postcards except Box 10, which contains about 75 trial proofs.

645655

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Detroit Publishing Company collection

Rare Books

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.

645655

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Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada

Rare Books

Postcards of Detroit, Michigan include advertising cards with printed text advertising specific Detroit businesses.

645655

Trial proofs

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Proof print of postcard images; scenic prints

Photographic prints with lithographic coloring

Oversize prints

Postcards

Detroit Publishing Company collection

Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada