Strobridge and Co. Lith.

  1. Strobridge and Co. Lith.
  2. Version History
ca. 1847 Elijah C. Middleton founded an engraving (steel and copperplate) establishment in Cincinnati, Ohio. 1849 W. R. Wallace, a lithographic engraver, joined Middleton to form the partnership of Middleton and Wallace. 1854 Hines Strobridge entered the partnership and the company became Middleton, Wallace, and Company (Lithographers). General trends in publications showed a transition from woodblock and engraving to lithography. Early prints were mainly black and white. 1857 Martin B. Ewing entered the partnership. 1858 Wallace left the firm, which became Middleton, Strobridge and Company. 1859 Dominique C. Fabronius joined the partnership. "In this establishment are embraced all kinds of lithographing such as views of cities and buildings, landscapes, etc., in one or more colors-portraits, maps, bonds, certificates of stock, drafts, checks in all kinds of commercial work almost equaling the finest engraving on steel. Value of work per annum, $25,000. Hands employed 20." (from John W. Merten article, listed below) 1860 Fabronius and Ewing left the partnership. 1861 Middleton left the partnership. The company's lithographs could now simulate oil portraits. During the Civil War era, the firm was credited with producing the first oil portraits of Washington, Lincoln, and Grant, among others. 1865 The name of Middleton was dropped from the firm. It became "Strobridge and Gerlach," or "Strobridge, Gerlach and Wagner." The company moved to Pike's Opera House Building. 1866 A fire in Pike's Opera House caused the Strobridge Company to lose all possessions, including its early records. 1867 Strobridge purchased "E. C. Middleton and Co.," publishers of oil portraits. A reorganization and incorporation took place under the name "Strobridge and Company." With the invention of power machinery and the lithographic steam press, the industry saw an era of rapid development. For the next 25 years, Strobridge would be the largest producer of circus and theatrical posters in the country. 1871? William Sumner became president of the company. 1872? Hines Strobridge was named as manager. 1878 Matt Morgan presumably crafted the first large multiple-sheet poster. The first large (16-sheet) outdoor poster ( Eliza Crossing the Ice) was exhibited at Fountain Square in Cincinnati. 1880 The firm changed its name to "The Strobridge Lithographing Company." 1881 George Fox became president. 1882 Development began on a large modern building on Canal St. in Cincinnati. Clifford B. Wright was named president. 1883 Hines Strobridge took over the company presidency (no longer listed as manager). Procter and Gamble's Ivory Soap was advertised on an outdoor poster developed by the firm. ("[This] is noteworthy on several counts: first, because it marks the recognition by industry of the large outdoor poster as an effective advertising medium; second, because it is reputed to be the first time that a photograph was 'blown up' to furnish the pictorial subject of a poster." (from John W. Merten article listed below) 1887 On December 1, a fire destroyed the Canal St. building. In July, the company moved back into the rebuilt building. 1896 ca.1912 Strobridge produced theater posters (by artists Mucha and Paul Jones, among others). The firm also issued company calendars, highlighting its renowned work in color by artist Harry Birdwell and others. 1909 Hines Strobridge died. His son Nelson Strobridge became president of the company. ca. 1910 1920 Strobridge began making posters for motion pictures (e.g. for producer Pathe). Posters were now printed from zinc, not stone, and the offset press was introduced. A number of additional advancements changed the way the company functioned. The focus of the firm turned from entertainment to the commercial poster. This era marked the growth of the automotive industry and thus of commercial outdoor advertising. 1913 William Merten was named company general superintendent. 1916 Merten became vice president. 1922 Merten no longer held position of general superintendent. 1925 The firm expanded by acquiring Henderson Lithographing Co. in Norwood. Through Merten, the firm participated in the creation and direction of the Lithographic Technical Foundation. 1937 The entire firm relocated to the Norwood plant. Nelson Strobridge became chairman of the board. William Merten became president (and was also active as director of the Lithographers' National Association). John G. Strobridge (grandson of Hines) became vice president. 1960 H. S. Crocker, Inc. acquired Strobridge Lithographing Co. (listed as division until 1970)

NOTE: Research and text for timeline by Kristen Kramer. Source of information and direct quotations: John W. Merten, Stone by Stone along a Hundred Years with the House of Strobridge, Bulletin of the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio, January, 1950, 8:1.

The Strobridge Lithographing Company, especially well-known for its production of circus and theatrical posters from the late 1800s and early 1900s, also produced a variety of printed items including maps, portraits, diplomas, counter displays, and blotters. The collection at Duke University contains only printed poster advertising work created from 1910 through 1954. The firm was established in Cincinnati, but a New York address can also be seen on the backs of some images in this collection.

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