Kane-Greenberg Lithography collection, 1870-1939, Date acquired: 12/06/1985
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Kane, Raymond P.
- Greenberg, Morris
- Greenberg, Stanley
- Greenberg, Neil
- Extent:
- 23.98 Linear Feet
- 60 boxes
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
Kane-Greenberg Lithography Collection, USF Libraries - Tampa Special Collections, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.
Background
- Scope and content:
Representing the wide array of lithographic styles, colors, and processes used in cigar industry labeling and advertising, the Kane-Greenberg Lithography Collection consists of cigar labels, bands, and progressive proof books spanning from the late 19th century through the mid-1930s. Lithographic corporations throughout the United States are represented in the collection, including American Lithographic Co., F. Heppenheimer's Sons, Witsch & Schmitt, George Harris & Sons, and Schumaker & Ettlinger.
- Biographical / historical:
Central to the advertising art of the cigar industry, progressive proof books were produced by means of stone lithography, an artistic and commercial process by which an engraved stone is used in order to print each color of a total image separately. The majority of cigar labels were produced by using six or fewer stones, while labels requiring as many as twenty-two stones have also been reported. Prior to printing a label, image registration and color layout were checked by means of running a set of proofs. These proofs contain the particular sequence of colors in which cigar labels were printed, as well as a final sample of the label resulting from each of the separately printed colors. The proofs were bound together and used as reference books by commercial printers, and are today the remnants of a detailed, time-consuming, and long-abandoned printing process. The variety of themes and subjects recorded in lithographic labels and advertisements are a valuable contribution to the historical and cultural record.
Mr. Raymond Kane, together with Dr. Stanley Greenberg, Dr. Neil Greenberg, and Mr. Morris Greenberg, contributed an important collection of master proof reference books and lithographic proof books to the University of South Florida. Central to the advertising art of the cigar industry, progressive proof books were produced by means of stone lithography, an artistic and commercial process by which an engraved stone is used to print each color of a total image separately. The majority of cigar labels were produced by using six or fewer stones, while labels requiring as many as twenty-two stones have also been reported. Prior to printing a label, image registration and color layout were checked by means of running a set of proofs. These proofs contain the particular sequence of colors in which cigar labels were printed, as well as a final sample of the label resulting from each of the separately printed colors. The proofs were bound together and used as reference books by commercial printers, and are today the remnants of a detailed, time-consuming, and long-abandoned printing process. The variety of themes and subjects recorded in lithographic labels and advertisements provide a valuable contribution to the historical and cultural record.
Greenberg, Morris. "The Kane-Greenberg Collection: Donation to the University of South Florida Library." Donor file of Kane-Greenberg Collection. 06 Dec 1985. Print. [Collection appraisal information].
Note written by
- Acquisition information:
- The Kane-Greenberg Collection is comprised of four distinct assortments of progressive lithographic proof books held by Raymond P. Kane, Mr. Morris Greenberg, Dr. Stanley Greenberg, and Dr. Neil Greenberg. Historian L. Glenn Westfall facilitated the donation of the material to the University of South Florida. Westfall is responsible for several important acquisitions of material covering the cigar industry in Tampa and Key West.
- Appraisal information:
Donated proof books were appraised by Frank Thomas Vance, with an evaluation made and recorded by Loy Glenn Westfall.
- Arrangement:
The collection is arranged within series by type of material (proof books; cigar bands and labels) and by location of the cigar manufacturer (Tampa; Non-Tampa), with sub-series separating cigar labels from cigar bands. Individual proof books are filed alphabetically by brand name within subseries. Assorted cigar bands and labels not comprising lithographic proof books are arranged within a separate series, filed alphabetically within subseries by lithographic corporation or location, as appropriate.
- Accruals:
The donation of this extensive assortment of master proof reference books and lithographic proof books supplemented a similar donation that had previously established the collection. To this pre-existing collection, Dr. Stanley Greenberg donated 50 proof books, Dr. Neil Greenberg donated 27 proof books, Mr. Morris Greenberg donated 14 proof books, while Mr. Raymond Kane contributed a donation of 74 proof books and 3 master reference books.
- Physical / technical requirements:
Some materials are fragile.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Terms of access:
None. The contents of the collection may be subject to copyright. Visit the United States Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov/ for more information.
- Preferred citation:
Kane-Greenberg Lithography Collection, USF Libraries - Tampa Special Collections, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.
- Location of this collection:
-
The University of South Florida, Tampa Campus4202 East Fowler Ave. LIB122TampaFL33620-5400USA
