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John Rollwagen collection of Photochrom photographs, 1898-1906

Overview of the Collection

Compiler
Rollwagen, John
Title
John Rollwagen collection of Photochrom photographs
Dates
1898-1906 (inclusive)
Quantity
65 Photocrom prints (1 box)
Collection Number
PH1440
Summary
Photocrom photographs of scenes in the United States and Canada made by the Detroit Publishing Company
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

The entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries Digital Collections website. Permission of the Visual Materials Curator is required to view original photographs. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Photocrom lithograph process

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Historical Background

The Photochrom (also known as Photochrome) is a color photo lithograph created from a black and white photographic negative. The process is a photographic variant of chromolithography, the broader term for color lithography. The color is achieved through using multiple lithograph stones, one per color in the printing process. A separate stone would be made for each color to be used which required at least a minimum of four stones (for the three primary colors and black) for the image. The image was printed on high-quality paper which resembled the smooth photographic printing paper of the day. The image was then finished off with a varnish to add depth and richness to the appearance of the photograph.

The process was developed in Switzerland and brought to the United States by the Detroit Publishing Company in 1897. The Detroit Photographic Company was started by publisher William A. Livingstone and photographer Edwin H. Husher in the late 19th century but did not go by that name until 1905 after which it quickly changed the name to the Detroit Publishing Company. The Detroit Publishing Co. enjoyed a period of enormous success as a world-wide publisher of photographic prints and postcards, but its sales began to decline during World War I, and with the introduction of new and cheaper printing methods it was forced to go into receivership in 1924 and by 1932 the company's assets were liquidated.

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Content Description

Photochrom photographs from the The Detroit Publishing Company showing scenes from the United States and Canada.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View the digital version of the collection

Restrictions on Use

Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.

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Administrative Information

Preservation Note

Photocrom lithograph process

Acquisition Information

Donor: John Rollwagen, December 8, 2015.

Processing Note

Processed by Wesley Nelson, April 2016

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

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Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Geographical Names

  • California--Photographs
  • Canada--Photographs
  • Colorado--Photographs
  • Florida--Photographs
  • Massachusetts--Photographs
  • New York (State)--Photographs
  • Pennsylvania--Photographs
  • United States--Photographs
  • Utah--Photographs
  • Wisconsin--Photographs
  • Wyoming--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Chromolithography
  • Color lithographs

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names

    • Detroit Publishing Co.,   lithographer (creator)


2017 (Last modified: 5/14/2018)

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