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.

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