Enquirer Job Printing Co. (Founded c1880)
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
‘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.
Bob Wallace Character Impersonations Poster, c1930 - 1949
‘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.
Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus Poster, c1930 - 1949
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.
Col. Tim McCoy Poster, c1930 - 1949
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.
Enquirer Printing Company Collection
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.
Freaks and Oddities as Cartooned by Robert L. Ripley Poster, c1930 - 1949
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.
Hollywood Oddities Poster, c1930 - 1949
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.
International Congress of Oddities Presenting ‘Believe it or Not’ Poster, c1930 - 1949
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.
Iron Tongue Pygmy Poster, c1930 - 1949
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.
Lady Leona Psychic Marvel Poster, c1930 - 1949
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.
Leopard Man of Africa Poster, c1930 - 1949
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.
Look at Life Presents Big Baby Bertha and Slim Jim Poster, c1930 - 1949
‘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.
Medusa Child of the Sea Poster, c1930 - 1949
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.
Miss Bertha Curtis Poster, c1930 - 1949
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.
New York World’s Fair Museum Presents ‘Believe it or Not’ Poster, c1930 - 1949
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.
New York World’s Fair Museum Presents ‘Believe it or Not’ Prince Ramachandi, Hindu Quarter Man Poster, c1930 - 1949
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.
See Snookie the Famous Hollywood Movie Chimpanzee Poster, c1930 - 1949
‘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.
Sideshow and Freak Show Posters, c1930 - 1949
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.
Specimen Book of Stock Cuts, Ledger Job Office, 1869
Illustrated sampler of stocks of American circus, fairground and theatrical posters. Printed by the Enquirer Printing Company, 519p.p.
The Viking Giant direct from Iceland Poster, c1930 - 1949
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.
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 20
- Collection 1
- Subject
- Acrobats 2
- Animals 3
- Circus 4
- Clowning 3
- Exhibitions 1
- Fairs 2
- Fat people 5
- Freak shows 17
- Giants 3
- Knife throwing 3
- Music-halls 2
- Showman 1
- Showwoman 1
- Sideshows 19
- Variety 2
- Wild west 3 + ∧ less