WAUMartinDadPostcardPHColl1279.xml Guide to the William H. (Dad) Martin Exaggerated Postcards 1908-1909 Martin (William H.) Exaggerated Postcards Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries © 2014 (Last modified: 4/17/2018)
Seattle, WA 98195
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections PH1279 Martin, William H. (Dad) Guide to the William H. (Dad) Martin Exaggerated Postcards 1908-1909 13 postcards (1 folder) ; 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches Collection materials are inEnglish. Dad Martin's exaggerated postcards depicting large fruits and vegetables, cowboys, as well as farming and hunting activities.

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.

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.

Martin often changed the captions on his postcards to match the location where they were sold.

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.

Request at UW

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Processed by Stefanie Terasaki; Processing completed in 2014.

Transferred from the Postcard Collection, 2014.

Photographic prints Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington) Fine Arts Businesses and Corporations

 

Farming and produce 1 1 Giant pumpkins on horse-pulled cart with three men 1908 The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City

Written on photo: Pumpkins grown in Wash. soil are profitable.

 1 2 Man on horse-drawn cart sitting on large pile of giant cabbages 1908 The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City

Written on photo: Wash. is the place we grow large cabbage.

 1 3 Farmers gathered around giant cabbages and giant ears of corn 1908 The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City

Written on photo: Bringing in the Sheaves, a common scene on a Wash. farm.

 1 4 Man sitting on giant potatoes on horse-drawn cart 1908

Written on photo: Potatoes grow big in our State.

 1 5 Horse-drawn cart pulling huge chickens 1909

Written on photo: A load of fancy poultry.

 1 6 Family riding in automobile with oversized eggs and a giant potato in the back seat 1909

Written on photo: The Modern Farmer.

 1 7 Men using lassos to harvest huge wheat plants 1909 The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City

Written on photo: Harvesting Wheat in Wash.

 1 8 Horse-drawn cart with driver standing pulling large pile of giant apples circa 1909 The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City

Written on photo: A load of good Wash. apples.

 Hunting and other activities 1 9 William Howard Taft on railroad car in front of a crowd surrounded by oversized vegetables circa 1908 The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City

Written on photo: The way we welcomed Taft in Wash. Prosperity.

 1 10 Hunters in field shooting at giant rabbits 1909 The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City

Written on photo: Great sport shooting rabbits in Wash.

 1 11 Hunters shaking hands while large ducks fly and swim around them 1909 The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City

Written on photo: A good day for ducks.

 1 12 American Indians and settlers shooting at each other circa 1909

Written on photo: Perils of the plains 1852.

 1 13 Man talking with American Indians 1909 The North American Post Card Co.,Kansas City

Written on photo: Cowboy trading wtih Indians-Sign Language.