STROBRIDGE HISTORY

Strobridge Lithography Co., Cincinnati, OH

The Strobridge Lithography Company was founded in Cincinnati in 1847 by Elijah Middleton and eventually bought out by one of its workers, Hines Strobridge, remaining open until 1971. Offices were located in downtown Cincinnati, Norwood, and New York City. Though this web exhibit features the monthly calendar cards of the Strobridge Company, Strobridge was most famous for its circus posters, often producing them for The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey. Libraries and museums all over America, including the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress, hold examples of Strobridge’s “Amazing American Circus Poster.” However, because the Strobridge firm was based in Cincinnati, Cincinnatians are fortunate to be in the vicinity of many of the greatest Strobridge collections. In addition to the Archives & Rare Books Library, the Cincinnati Public Library and Cincinnati Art Museum are valuable resources for Strobridge enthusiasts.

Hines Strobridge

The Public Library’s Langstroth Collection is an extensive holding of lithographs and ephemera compiled by Theodore A. Langstroth. The collection website outlines Strobridge-related resources like Stone by Stone Along a Hundred Years with the House of Strobridge by John W. Merten, among others. A fascinating virtual exhibit of Strobridge circus, theater, and minstrel show posters is viewable here.

The Amazing American Circus Poster exhibition was organized by the Cincinnati Art Museum and The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. It was exhibited from September 17, 2011 - January 29, 2012 and featured 80 Strobridge circus posters. Though no longer on display, the posters are part of the museum’s permanent collection.

ABOUT THE GAYLORD OSCAR SHEPHERD JR. COLLECTION

The 53 cards in this collection are monthly calendar cards printed by the Strobridge Lithography Company, spanning the years 1896 – 1912. The fine craftsmanship and artistry of Strobridge’s work has been heralded for over a century. Though the Strobridge firm was most famous for its circus posters, these cards are all prime examples of the design and craftsmanship that made Strobridge so famous throughout America and Europe. In viewing this exhibit of calendar cards, note the intricate designs, color separations, and printing techniques that all made Strobridge the premiere American lithography company of its day. To view all of the cards from any given month, click on the month name at the top of this page. To view all of the cards, in chronological order, click on the “all images” link above.

The Gaylord Oscar Shepherd Collection of Strobridge Lithography Company Calendar Cards was donated by Gaylord Oscar Shepherd Jr. in honor of his father who had passed them down to him. Gaylord Oscar Shepherd was the nephew of Harry Loud Bridwell, who worked as an artist at the Strobridge Lithography Company from 1896 – 1906. Following a stroke, Harry Bridwell became paralyzed in his right arm and taught himself to paint with his left. He is famous for his maritime images and for doing the decorations of the Cincinnati Grand Opera House. As a whole, the Bridwells were a prominent family accredited with founding the town of Harriman, Tennessee, about two hours east of Nashville. In Harriman, the Bridwells operated a major restaurant and started the town newspaper.

The artistic talent of the Bridwells has been passed down through the generations. Gaylord Oscar Shepherd was involved in radio, newspaper, advertising, and theater. His daughter, Judy Ave, now 90, is a well known artist in Sarasota Fl. His son, Gaylord Oscar Shepherd Jr., who so generously donated this collection of Strobridge calendars cards that were handed down to him by his father, reports that many of his children, grandchildren, and great grand children have been blessed with the Bridwell artistic talents. The Archives & Rare Books Library thanks Gaylord Oscar Shepherd Jr. for his donation which will undoubtedly benefit artists and scholars.

Please visit the A&RB Lawrence F. Albers and George J. Albers Collection web exhibit to view more of our Strobridge holdings.

The following links may be of additional interest:

Duke University Library’s Guide to the Strobridge Lithographing Company Advertisements, 1910-1954 and undated
http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/rbmscl/strobridge/inv/

Article on the Circus Historical Society website about the pioneers in advertising lithography
http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/rbmscl/strobridge/inv/

An example of Strobridge’s advertising for Camel Cigarettes
http://tobaccodocuments.org/pollay_ads/Came07.19.html