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Enquirer Job Printing Co. (Founded c1880)

 Organisation

Biography

The Enquirer Printing Co. was a company based in Cincinnati, serving the flourishing Victorian entertainment industry and produced some of the most significant and visually stunning entertainment posters in the world.

In the middle of the Victorian era, travelling circuses had become large commercial concerns. The acts performed in the ring became increasingly innovative and complex presenting large casts of performers, animals, production numbers and sideshows, which made circus one of the most popular forms of entertainment at the end of the century. Posters were the only means of advertising and building up the anticipation of the show, so they had an immense impact and influence on the society of the time and were key to the success of the shows.

The company was first known as the Enquirer Job Printing Co. of Cincinnati, a branch of the Cincinnati Enquirer Newspaper. At the time, newspapers used their printing presses to produce a myriad of products such as posters, calendars and stationery in order to increase the profitability of their business. The term Job Printing was used to indicate this alternative commercial activity.

In 1867 this section of the newspaper was purchased by a society formed by A. O. Russell, Robert J. Morgan, James M. Armstrong and the showman John F. Robinson. Together they formed the Russell, Morgan & Co. printing company. Robison and Armstrong provided the financial support while Russell and Morgan, who were printmakers, run the business.

Initially, the company focused in the supply of the entertainment industry, producing theatrical and circus prints. After relocating to larger premises in 1872 they expanded into the manufacturing of playing cards and by 1891 driven by the success of this side of the business the two printing sections were separated. Three years later they formed The United States Playing Card Company, which to this day is the largest manufacturer of playing cards in the world.

In 1895 Harry J. Anderson bought the Job Printing Company to stablish The Enquirer Printing Co. which has been owned by the Anderson family ever since.

Found in 21 Collections and/or Records:

Bob Wallace as ‘Old Funny Face’ Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.12
Scope and Contents

‘Believe it or Not’ he swallows his nose, homeliest man on earth. Colour illustration of man’s face with his bottom lip covering his nose. Face in white with navy shading on red and navy background and white and red type.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Bob Wallace Character Impersonations Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.13
Scope and Contents

‘Believe it or Not’, the children’s delight, Pop Eye the sailor. Colour illustration of bust and waist of man dress as Popeye in the centre in white and navy over a red and black background with a navy footer and red and white type.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.18
Scope and Contents

The World’s Largest Circus. Colour illustration of white face clown on a blue background a large big top behind him and the circus name in red type over yellow. Printed by Enquirer Printing Co., Cincinnati USA.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Col. Tim McCoy Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.14
Scope and Contents

In person, famous Western and TV star. Black and white photograph of Tim McCoy in cowboy outfit riding a horse and holding his hat up high on his right hand on a red background with black and white and navy type and a white border.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Enquirer Printing Company Collection

 Collection
Reference code: NFA0125
Scope and Contents

This collection of printed material produced by the Enquirer Job Printing Company contains American sideshow and freak show posters mainly from the Ripley’s ‘Believe it or Not’ franchise and a poster sampler that was taken around by salesmen from the company.

Dates: 1869; c1930 - 1949

Freaks and Oddities as Cartooned by Robert L. Ripley Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.1
Scope and Contents

The armless knife thrower. ‘Believe it or Not’. Colour illustration of armless man throwing knifes at a lady stood against a white board with his right foot, orange and brown background.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Hollywood Oddities Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.3
Scope and Contents

Girl with a radio mind, she sees all, knows all. ‘Believe it or Not’. Colour illustration of bust of woman on profile holding a glass ball blindfolded on light blue and black background with black and white type.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

International Congress of Oddities Presenting ‘Believe it or Not’ Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.15
Scope and Contents

A mighty congress of strange people oddities, freaks and wonders from all parts of the glove featuring oddities as cartooned by Ripley and as exhibited at the World’s Fair. White, red and green type on white and red backgrounds with green border.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Iron Tongue Pygmy Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.16
Scope and Contents

Limited edition 54 of 2500. Colour illustration of a man in a village with straw houses and palm trees lifting an anvil with his tongue.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Lady Leona Psychic Marvel Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.5
Scope and Contents

Girl with radio mind, she sees all, knows all. Colour illustration of bust of woman on profile holding a glass ball blindfolded on green and black background with black type.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Leopard Man of Africa Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.2
Scope and Contents

Half brute, half human. They dive from trees to kill. The new African thriller. Colour illustration of African man’s head wearing bottom and top lip plates. Red and blue type on pink background with blue border.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Look at Life Presents Big Baby Bertha and Slim Jim Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.11
Scope and Contents

‘Believe it or Not’. ‘The Mrs’ Big Bertha 540 lbs. ’The Mr’ Slim Jim 68 lbs. Colour illustration of fat lady in stripy orange and white dress and slim man wearing a black suit, tail coat and monocle dancing on orange and white background and orange, white and blue type.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Medusa Child of the Sea Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.4
Scope and Contents

Featured with the Ripley Road Show ‘Believe it or Not’. Colour illustration of mermaid on a beach with people staring a her. Figures on white with orange background and navy outline and shading and navy and white type.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Miss Bertha Curtis Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.10
Scope and Contents

Weight 540 lbs. Colour illustration of fat lady seating on a chair. White figure with black outline and light brownish purple short drees on brownish purple background.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

New York World’s Fair Museum Presents ‘Believe it or Not’ Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.6
Scope and Contents

Weight 540 lbs. Subject as cartooned by Robt. L. Ripley. Colour illustration of fat lady standing in a short dress. Figure in white with black outline and green dress and green and black background.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

New York World’s Fair Museum Presents ‘Believe it or Not’ Prince Ramachandi, Hindu Quarter Man Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.7
Scope and Contents

Subjects as cartooned by Robt. L. Ripley. P. T. Barnum’s Greatest Oddity. Colour illustration of man torso and waist on a round table wearing a red fez and smoking a cigar on yellow background.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

See Snookie the Famous Hollywood Movie Chimpanzee Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.17
Scope and Contents

‘Believe it or Not’ as chimpanzee was convicted in court at South Bend Ind. for smoking a cigarette! Colour illustration of chimpanzee in a suit in court showing the judge and the jury on brown and mustard colour background.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Sideshow and Freak Show Posters, c1930 - 1949

 Series
Reference code: 178R45
Scope and Contents

Posters of sideshow and freak show performers printed by the Enquirer Job Printing Company, in Cincinnati, USA, many of which for Leroy Robert Ripley's Believe it or Not franchise.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Specimen Book of Stock Cuts, Ledger Job Office, 1869

 Item
Reference code: 178H36.1
Scope and Contents

Illustrated sampler of stocks of American circus, fairground and theatrical posters. Printed by the Enquirer Printing Company, 519p.p.

Dates: 1869

The Viking Giant direct from Iceland Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R45.8
Scope and Contents

Johann K. Peterson in person, 8’ 8’’ tall, weight 425 pounds, world’s tallest man. Printed on card. Black and white photograph in the centre showing a tall man in Viking outfit stood next to a small man. Photograph on a yellow background with red footer and red, black and white type.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 20
Collection 1
 
Subject
Acrobats 2
Animals 3
Circus 4
Clowning 3
Exhibitions 1