Materials are arranged chronologically and then alphabetically by title.
Unknown.
[identification of item], Performing Arts Lithographs, SPEC.RARE.0223, Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, Ohio State University
Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the Thompson Library Special Collections reading room only.
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.
Processed by: Mackenzie Sommers, 2018 February; Finding Aid written by: Mackenzie Sommers, 2018 February.
Lithography is a method of printing from a stone or metal plate with a ball grained surface invented in 1796. It was used as a cheap method of publishing theatrical posters. Around the 1880s and 1890s, the advertising industry was revolutionized by lithograph companies' new found abilities to creat bright mural posters of all sizes.
At the turn of the century,The Enquirer Job Printing Company of Cincinnati, Ohio was the largest printer of circus and performing arts posters in the United States. The company was owned and operated by the Anderson family and remained open until 2015. Similarly, The Strobridge Lithography Company was responsible for creating a large number of turn of the century circus and theatre posters. It was founded in 1847 by Elijah Middleton and bought by a worker Hines Strobridge. It remained open until 1971. As of 2018 no information is known about H.A. Thomas and Wiley printers, except that they operated out of New York City.
The Performing Arts Lithographs contains lithographs related to different types of theatrical productions such as revues, vaudville shows, musicals, and plays. They were printed by The Enquirer Job Printing Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, Strobridge Lithography Company, H.A. Thomas and Wiley printers, and unknown printers. The lithographs range in date from circa 1880 to circa 1920s.