Baker Company Scrapbooks

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: MG Baker Co.-(Fileroom)

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of two scrapbooks of the William A. Baker Printing Company.

Volume 1 is a sample book containing examples of printed matter produced by the company. Included are logos, advertisements, invitations, business cards, checks, newspaper clippings, stationery, greeting cards, and novelty items. At the back of the volume are some clippings about the company in general, copies of a "pen sketch" if the "Business Department" office (1889), and clippings, flyers, and open letters addressed to the public by National Typographical Union 103 and other unions regarding a lengthy labor dispute with the company in 1896-97 and another in 1899. One flyer (April 1897) includes a list of union-approved printers (English and German) in the City.

Volume 2, labeled "The Strike of 1905" contains clippings regarding a city-wide strike of printers, again led by Typographical Union 103, demanding an eight-hour day. The strike lasted into 1906, as a few employers settled with the strikers, and other, including Baker's, refused to compromise. At the end of the volume are some clippings (1906-1907) regarding complaints alleging poor quality work by Baker's in the printing of City reports.

Dates

1893 - 1897

Creator

William A. Baker Printing and Publisher Company (Organization)

Biographical / Historical

The collection consists of two scrapbooks of the William A. Baker Printing Company. Founded in 1885 as the Baker Printing Company, it occupied various buildings before erecting its new 5-story home at 251 Market St. in 1890. The company was a big operation, holding major contracts for the City. By 1898 it had nine modern presses in operation and employed a large force of skilled printers. It also operated a spacious retail stationery store on the premises.