Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Guide to the William H. (Dad) Martin Exaggerated Postcards, 1908-1909
Overview of the Collection
- Photographer
- Martin, William H. (Dad)
- Title
- Guide to the William H. (Dad) Martin Exaggerated Postcards
- Dates
- 1908-1909 (inclusive)19081909
- Quantity
- 13 postcards (1 folder) ; 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches
- Collection Number
- PH1279
- Summary
- Dad Martin's exaggerated postcards depicting large fruits and vegetables, cowboys, as well as farming and hunting activities.
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
- Additional Reference Guides
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
William H. (Dad) Martin, originally from Maple City, Kansas, took over a photograph studio located in Ottawa, Kansas in 1894 that was previously owned by his mentor and boss, E.H. Corwin. In 1908 Martin began using photo composite photography to create series of exaggerated post cards depicting people among oversized produce and animals. These Martin initially created in the basement of his home at 815 South Main, Ottawa. Martin's business quickly grew and by 1909 he had constructed a two story business behind his house and had a staff of about 20 people producing approximately 10,000 cards per day. Even though his postcard business was very popular and profitable, Martin sold it in 1912 to Williams S. Fallis and William H. Jones of Ottawa who moved the business to Kansas City and re-named it the North American Post Card Company. Martin then founded the National Sign Company in Ottawa. Dad Martin died around 1940.
Martin utilized the photo montage, first photographing each element of his desired scene. These pieces were then cut and pasted together, then the whole composition was re-photographed creating a unified image.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Exaggerated postcards by W.H. Martin with farmers and oversize fruits and vegetables and crops. As well as cowboys, and hunting and fishing of large and exaggerated animals. Many of the postcards were published by the North American Post Card Company, Kansas City.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Martin often changed the captions on his postcards to match the location where they were sold.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
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Farming and produceReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folder | item | ||
| 1 | 1 |
Giant pumpkins on horse-pulled cart with three men
The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City (Publisher)
Written on photo: Pumpkins grown in Wash. soil are profitable.
|
1908 |
| 1 | 2 |
Man on horse-drawn cart sitting on large pile of giant cabbages
The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City (Publisher)
Written on photo: Wash. is the place we grow large cabbage.
|
1908 |
| 1 | 3 |
Farmers gathered around giant cabbages and giant ears of corn
The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City (Publisher)
Written on photo: Bringing in the Sheaves, a common scene on a Wash. farm.
|
1908 |
| 1 | 4 |
Man sitting on giant potatoes on horse-drawn cart
Written on photo: Potatoes grow big in our State.
|
1908 |
| 1 | 5 |
Horse-drawn cart pulling huge chickens
Written on photo: A load of fancy poultry.
|
1909 |
| 1 | 6 |
Family riding in automobile with oversized eggs and a giant potato in the back seat
Written on photo: The Modern Farmer.
|
1909 |
| 1 | 7 |
Men using lassos to harvest huge wheat plants
The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City (Publisher)
Written on photo: Harvesting Wheat in Wash.
|
1909 |
| 1 | 8 |
Horse-drawn cart with driver standing pulling large pile of giant apples
The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City (Publisher)
Written on photo: A load of good Wash. apples.
|
circa 1909 |
Hunting and other activitiesReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folder | item | ||
| 1 | 9 |
William Howard Taft on railroad car in front of a crowd surrounded by oversized vegetables
The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City (Publisher)
Written on photo: The way we welcomed Taft in Wash. Prosperity.
|
circa 1908 |
| 1 | 10 |
Hunters in field shooting at giant rabbits
The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City (Publisher)
Written on photo: Great sport shooting rabbits in Wash.
|
1909 |
| 1 | 11 |
Hunters shaking hands while large ducks fly and swim around them
The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City (Publisher)
Written on photo: A good day for ducks.
|
1909 |
| 1 | 12 |
American Indians and settlers shooting at each other
Written on photo: Perils of the plains 1852.
|
circa 1909 |
| 1 | 13 |
Man talking with American Indians
The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City (Publisher)
Written on photo: Cowboy trading wtih Indians-Sign Language.
|
1909 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Form or Genre Terms
- Photographic prints
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
