L. Prang & Co.

In the 1880s, L. Prang & Co. was commissioned by W.T. Walters to prepare 116 color plates for a book on his collection of oriental ceramics. It took three artists from the firm and nearly ten years to produce the chromolithographic plates. Five hundred copies of the book, Oriental Ceramics Art, were published in 1896.

From the description of Proof book, 1891. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 122555724

L. Prang & Co. made and published greeting cards for approximately twenty years (1876-1896). Prang was the first to initiate prize contests for artists and writers who created the cards.

From the description of Valentine cards, 1884 / published by L. Prang & Co., Boston. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 84665758

L. Prang & Co. produced the plates for a book on gems published by the Scientific Publishing Co.

From the description of Proof book, 1890. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 84665767

Louis Prang was a lithographer, wood engraver, and educator. Born in Bresslau, Germany in 1824, he served as an apprentice in his father's factory for dyeing and printing calico from the time he was 13 until he was 18. He then went to Hagen in Westphalia to study techniques for printing and dyeing. In 1848, Prang fled Germany after having been implicated in revolutionary activity. By 1850, he had settled in Boston, Ma. where he entered into a short-lived venture to publish architectural works. He then learned wood engraving and worked at it until 1856 when he went into the lithographic business with Julius Mayer. In 1860, Prang and Mayer dissolved their partnership and Prang established the firm of L. Prang & Co.

L. Prang & Co. initially produced trade cards, announcements, and various forms of advertising. During the Civil War, the firm sold maps and plans of battles. After the war, Prang began printing chromolithographs, often reproductions of famous works of art. In 1867, he established a model printing plant in Roxbury, Ma. During the 1870s, the firm began issuing Christmas and other greeting cards. Prang was also well-known as a dealer in artists' supplies and published a number of drawing books. In 1882, Prang founded the Prang Educational Company. Prang retired from active business in 1899 and died ten years later in a California sanitarium. L. Prang & Co. was sold to the American Crayon Co. in 1918.

From the description of Collection, 1864-1900. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 84665741