| Detroit Publishing Company (AKA Detroit Photographic Co.) |
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The Detroit Publishing Company (DPC) was one of the world’s largest publishers and best producers of photographic images. In the late 1800’s, the Detroit Photographic Co., as it was known then, acquired the exclusive rights to the Swiss created ‘Photochrom’ process. A Photochrom is a photomechanical process using multiple lithographic stones to convert an original black & white photograph into a color print. A separate stone was used for each color and a minimum of 4 stones were required for each color print, although as many as 14 stones could have been used if needed. This entire process allowed the DPC to mass produce and sell color prints, postcards and albums, to the American public.
The most famous American landscape photographer to work for the DPC and who was also a partner in the firm was William Henry Jackson (American, 1843-1942). Jackson joined the firm in 1897 and his already prolific work brought over 10,000 negatives to the company’s huge inventory and he helped them sell millions of prints for them annually. By 1903, Jackson became plant manager which afforded him very little time for travel and taking photographs.
The company was known as the Detroit Photographic Co. until 1905, when it then became the Detroit Publishing Company. Numerous well known photographers worked for them over their 30 year time period between the years 1895-1924. Their photographers traveled all over the globe, and helped Americans to see the world around them. They would also purchase negative plates from different photographers to add to their inventory. The DPC created some of the most beautiful images ever caught on film, and their scenic photos inspired travel amid the rapidly growing tourism market of the early 1900’s. The images would often incorporate people as part of the scenery set against awe-inspiring landscapes, cityscapes and various backdrops. To say the least they were majestic and mysterious to not only the common traveler but world travelers alike and often resembled paintings. The company’s images were so popular, they created a multitude of products and souvenirs to aggressively sell them. The DPC also expanded their collection to include reproductions of famous works of art which served not only as home décor, but was also in demand as educational tools for schools and universities.
During the height of its success, the DPC maintained markets in Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, London, and Zurich. They continued to expand their lines by selling images in popular boutiques, tourist spots, and also through mail-order. During World War I, sales of photographs and postcards began to decline. With the advent of newer, inexpensive methods of printing that were being used by competing firms, it eventually took its toll on the DPC and it forced the company into receivership by 1924. After struggling for the next eight years, the DPC finally liquidated all of its assets in 1932. Jackson later sold all of the DPC company negatives and prints to The Edison Institute (known today as Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, in Dearborn, Michigan) in 1939. The Institute held the negatives until 1949, when they were then donated and divided between the Colorado Historical Society (images ‘west of the Mississippi’, about 13,000 images), and the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (all other views, about 20,000 vintage photographs, 25,000 glass negatives, and about 300 Photochrom Prints). The Greenfield Village museum still maintains 18,000 vintage photographic prints, 9,500 postcards, and 2,500 Photochrom prints.
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