Louis Prang

Q The American printer and publisher Louis Prang of Boston had the convenient habit of usually dating his commissions; this trade card was published in 1881 posing the query as to whether he changed his trade card each year. Can other collectors confirm or deny this?

G.E.M.

A The first trade card below for Prangs American Chromo’s has no copyright marking, while the other card states “Copyright 1879 by L. Prang & Co, Boston, USA.”

Louis Prang Trade Card for Prangs American Chromo's

Louis Prang Trade Card - Art and Educational Publishers 1879

It’s my observation that Prang invariably prints the copyright date on their output, particularly in the case of greeting cards.

Collector

Queries 2005/6

The Moon and I
Love’s Messenger
Guy Fawkes
Cabbage Patch Babies
Duty & Discipline
Wireless Listeners
The Potters’
E.A.S Showyard
Football Cards
Annual Remembrancer
Queen Victoria
Louis Prang
Thank You Cards
Wine Labels
French Trade Card

Query Archive

2003/4
2005/6
2007/8
2009/10
2011/12
2013

This regular feature invites answers by email to members’ questions on an item of ephemera.