Modern Printing Company records, 1948-2022
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Modern Printing Company
- Title
- Modern Printing Company records
- Dates
- 1948-2022 (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- 17.90 cubic ft. (19 boxes) + 11.50 GB
- Collection Number
- 12838
- Summary
- Modern Printing Company was a printing company located in Laramie, Wyoming. Collection contains job tickets of proofs and samples, job register ledgers, and documents pertaining to the Ace Printing Company purchase.
- Repository
-
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
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There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
Modern Printing Company was a printing company owned and operated by the Bress family in Laramie, Wyoming. The company was founded as Mountain States Lithographing in 1937 by Chuck Street. The printing plant was destroyed in the Holliday Fire of 1948 in downtown Laramie. Howard Rhodes joined the business in 1950 and helped the company recover from the fire and grow into a regional printer. In 1957, Mountain States Lithographing purchased Ace Printing Company in Casper, Wyoming. Mountain States Lithographing maintained both printing plants until 1972, when Wayne and Connie Bress purchased the Laramie business and renamed it Modern Printing Company. The Bress family has owned and operated the business in Laramie, Wyoming for over 50 years, providing most of Laramie’s printing needs, including the University of Wyoming (i.e., sports programs, publications, posters, flyers, newsletters, local business cards and stationery, etc.). In January of 2022 the production facility was closed due to rising costs to keep and maintain equipment, however the business still exists operating as a print brokerage firm.
Content Description
Collection contains the business records for Modern Printing Company in Laramie, Wyoming. Included in the collection are job tickets of proofs and samples from Modern Printing Company and Mountain States Lithographing Company, job register ledgers, images of the buildings, offices, and equipment before closing, and records regarding the purchase and operations of Ace Printing Company in Casper.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Restrictions on Use
Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in CollectionsThe American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.
Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.
Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
This material was received from Modern Printing Company, Matthew Bress from 2021-2022.
Processing Note
The collection was processed by Brittany Heye in May 2022 and updated by Jamie J. Greene in June 2024.
Related Materials
There are no known other archival collections created by Modern Printing Company at the date of processing.
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Series I. Business Records
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Sub-series 1. Mountain States Lithographing Company, Laramie, 1948-1972
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Description: Job tickets with proofs and samplesDates: 1948-1954Container: Box 1-11
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Description: Job Register ledgersDates: 1948-1972Container: Box 11-14
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Description: Elliot ReportDates: 1950Container: Box 11
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Description: Laramie Life MagazineDates: 1952Container: Box 11
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Description: Receipts (Mountain States Lithographing Company)Dates: 1957Container: Box 11
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Sub-series 2. Modern Printing Company, 1973-2022
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Description: Graphic Standards Manuals - University of Wyoming and Wyo TechDates: 1989-2006Container: Box 18
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Description: Job Register ledgers (print order records)Dates: 1973-2018Container: Box 14-16 and 18
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Description: Photographs: Modern Printing Company buildings, offices, and equipment when closingDates: February 2022Container: Box Digital, Folder ahcdm_12838_001
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Description: Photographs from The Easel in Laramie - saddleDates: undatedContainer: Box 11
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Work order samples (programs, pamphlets, booklets, ephemera):
Container: Box 18-19
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Description: Laramie Area Visitor CenterDates: 2000-2020Container: Box 18, Folder
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Description: MiscellaneousDates: 1970-2012Container: Box 18, Folder
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Description: Scott BarberDates: 2016-2019Container: Box 18, Folder
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University of Wyoming:, 1985-2019
Container: Box 18
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Description: All Star Games, Wyoming Coaches AssociationDates: 1985-1987Container: Box 18, Folder
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Description: Cowboy Joe ClubDates: 2006-2012Container: Box 18, Folder
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Description: MiscellaneousDates: 1933-2002Container: Box 18, Folder
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Description: UW Athletics, Hall of Fame ceremonyDates: 2003-2008Container: Box 18, Folder
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Description: Wyoming Basketball ProgramsDates: 2008-2014Container: Box 18, Folder
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Description: Wyoming Football Game ProgramsDates: 1985-2019Container: Box 18, Folder
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Description: Wyoming Mining Association (WMA) - "The Mining Claim", annual convention programs, and directoriesDates: 1991-2007Container: Box 18, Folder
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Description: Wyoming Shrine Bowl game programsDates: 1974-1990Container: Box 19, Folder
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Series II. Ace Publishing Company Purchase and Operation Records
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Description: Ace PrintingDates: 1958-1959Container: Box 16
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Description: Accounting (Miscellaneous)Dates: 1957-1958Container: Box 16
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Description: Accounts BookDates: 1959Container: Box 16
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Description: Accounts PaidDates: 1958Container: Box 16
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Description: Banking recordsDates: 1958-1959Container: Box 16
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Description: Bills PaidDates: 1959Container: Box 16
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Description: Bills PayableDates: 1959Container: Box 16
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Description: Cash AccountingDates: 1958-1959Container: Box 16
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: 1958-1959Container: Box 17
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Description: Current InvoicesDates: 1959Container: Box 17
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Description: Employee Workmen's Compensation paperworkDates: 1957-1959Container: Box 17
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Description: First National Bank of Casper checks (blank)Dates: 1958-1959Container: Box 17
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Description: Incoming CorrespondenceDates: 1959Container: Box 17
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Description: Mergenthaler Lino NotesDates: 1956-1958Container: Box 17
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Description: MiscellaneousDates: 1959Container: Box 17
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Description: Payroll recordsDates: 1958Container: Box 17
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Description: Records notebookDates: 1959Container: Box 17
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Description: Reports (Jones)Dates: 1959Container: Box 17
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Description: ReceiptsDates: 1956-1959Container: Box 17
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Description: Sales Contract, etc.Dates: 1957-1959Container: Box 17
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Description: Sales TaxDates: 1958Container: Box 17
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Description: Tax recordsDates: 1959Container: Box 17
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Description: Work Order InvoicesDates: 1959Container: Box 17
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Graphic arts.
- Printing -- Wyoming -- History.
- Small business -- Wyoming.
Geographical Names
- Casper (Wyo.)
- Laramie (Wyo.)
- Wyoming -- History -- 1946-1999.
- Wyoming -- History -- 2000-
