Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation
John P. Smith Printing Company papers
John P. Smith Printing Company
Smith, Frank J., 1886-1949
D.121
/repositories/2/resources/1125
19 box(es)
(19 boxes, 16 volumes)
1873-1949
English
.
Biographical / Historical note
The John P. Smith Printing Company was begun in Rochester in 1873 as a part-time business by John Peter Smith, with a capital of $13.98. By 1875 it had become a full-time business, and thereafter grew rapidly. The first premises were at 271 Brown Street. In 1883 it moved to 66 State Street. In 1886, they also added a bindery operation and expanded to 76-84 State Street. In 1887, the business moved to the Mechanics Savings Bank Building on Aqueduct Street; but the sale of the building the following year led to the purchase of a building at 72-74 Exchange Street, at the corner of Aqueduct. After one attempt to incorporate the business in 1893, it was incorporated in 1903. The firm produced job printing, made blank books, and also printed books; printing was done in both German and English. John P. Smith died in 1922. He was succeeded in the company by his son, Frank John Smith. Frank J. Smith was born in 1886, and educated in parochial schools and the Mechanics Institute. He entered the business in 1902, worked in all areas, and was made treasurer in 1916. He was elected president of the firm in 1922 upon the death of his father.
Frank Smith was active in industry and community organizations. He was president of the United Typothetae of America in 1929-30 and again in 1933-35. He was also president and director of the Rochester Typothetae. He was U.S. and Canadian representative at the Congress of Printers of the World in London in 1929, and was chairman of the National Graphic Arts Association. He was active in the Rochester Centennial Exposition, the Rochester Automobile Club, and the dedications of the Bausch Memorial and Veterans' Memorial bridges. He was president of the Rochester Post of the Army Ordnance Association, a national network of manufacturers organized to support national defense in the event of war. During World War II he served as a civilian coordinator of army ordnance. Frank Smith married Alma Mock, daughter of J. Ernest Mock, the Rochester photographer, and they had three children: John Peter, Paul Francis, and Jacqueline Ann. Smith was a devout Catholic layman. He died on June 12, 1949.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of ledgers and labor records of the John P. Smith Printing Company during the period 1876-1891, and personal and business correspondence of Frank J. Smith. The non-personal pieces include material by or about the United Typothetae of America, N.Y. State Alcoholic Beverages Control Board, Army Ordnance Association, and the Rochester printing business. The personal pieces include material on Rochester clubs and charitable organizations, the Rochester Centennial of 1934, the Bausch Memorial Bridge dedication, and the Veterans' Memorial Bridge dedication.
The papers are arranged in file order as they were received.
Access
The John P. Smith Printing Company Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift, June 1977.
Use
In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
[Item title, item date], John P. Smith Printing Company Papers, D.121, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Printing industry
Printers
New York (State)--Rochester
Records (Documents)
Photographs
John P. Smith Printing Company
Smith, Frank J., 1886-1949
United Typothetae of America
New York (State). State Liquor Authority
Army Ordnance Association (U.S.)
Series I: John P. Smith Printing Company business papers/repositories/2/archival_objects/215558Order to Kelsey Printing Company for printing supplies/repositories/2/archival_objects/215578187311J.P. Smith Printing Company - stock prospectus/repositories/2/archival_objects/215579 [1892]12Sales figures/repositories/2/archival_objects/2155801892-190613Correspondence/repositories/2/archival_objects/2155811904-190514Labor agreement - J.P. Smith Company and International Typographical Union, Rochester/repositories/2/archival_objects/215582190215Arbitration agreement/repositories/2/archival_objects/215583190416Pressmen's contract/repositories/2/archival_objects/215584191917Bookbinders contract/repositories/2/archival_objects/215585191918Rochester Typothetae minutes/repositories/2/archival_objects/2155861895-191819Graphic Arts building proposal/repositories/2/archival_objects/2155871913110Rochester Typothetae - meeting of employing printers/repositories/2/archival_objects/2155881920111United Typothetae of America - resolution on death of John P. Smith/repositories/2/archival_objects/2155891917112Accounts - John P. Smith illness/repositories/2/archival_objects/215590 [1916-1917]113Reproduction drawing - Smith Printing Company building/repositories/2/archival_objects/215591114Blank forms/repositories/2/archival_objects/215859191-2Calling cards/repositories/2/archival_objects/215861193Checks and receipts/repositories/2/archival_objects/215862194Circulars/repositories/2/archival_objects/215863195Color printing and demonstrations/repositories/2/archival_objects/215864196-7Commercial circulars/repositories/2/archival_objects/215866198Dance programs/repositories/2/archival_objects/215867199Envelopes/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158681910Handbills and small broadsides/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158691911Labels/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158701912Menus/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158711913Miscellaneous/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158721914Programs and invitations/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158731915Ribbons/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158741916John P. Smith dummy for advertising brochure/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158751917John P. Smith emblem, billheads, etc./repositories/2/archival_objects/2158761918Tickets/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158771919Trade catalog/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158781920Price lists/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158791921Wedding announcement/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158801922John P. Smith: Accounts day book/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158821876-1880191John P. Smith: Accounts ledger/repositories/2/archival_objects/215883192-3John P. Smith: Cash book/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158851879-1887194John P. Smith: Cash book - railroad work/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158861884-1887195John P. Smith: Job accounts/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158871883-1891196-9John P. Smith: Journal/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158911884-18861910John P. Smith: Letter press book/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158921885, 18891911-12Series II: Printing business/repositories/2/archival_objects/215559American Institute of Graphic Arts/repositories/2/archival_objects/21559221-2Announcements/repositories/2/archival_objects/21559423Applications - Miscellaneous/repositories/2/archival_objects/21559524-5Benjamin Franklin/repositories/2/archival_objects/21559726-7Books - Miscellaneous/repositories/2/archival_objects/21559928-9Bound telephone books/repositories/2/archival_objects/215601210Claybourne, Incorporated/repositories/2/archival_objects/215602211-13Color/repositories/2/archival_objects/215605214Copyright/repositories/2/archival_objects/215606215Correspondence: B-Ht/repositories/2/archival_objects/215607216-22Cottrell and Sons/repositories/2/archival_objects/215614223-24Educational programs/repositories/2/archival_objects/215616225English visitors/repositories/2/archival_objects/215617226Graphic arts/repositories/2/archival_objects/215618227Labor/repositories/2/archival_objects/215619228United Typothetae of America - Bulletins/repositories/2/archival_objects/21562031United Typothetae of America - Finances/repositories/2/archival_objects/21562132United Typothetae of America - General/repositories/2/archival_objects/21562233United Typothetae of America - Proposed plan/repositories/2/archival_objects/21562334War printing/repositories/2/archival_objects/21562435Warren Company/repositories/2/archival_objects/21562536Washington/repositories/2/archival_objects/21562637Williamson - idea for selling printing/repositories/2/archival_objects/21562738Series III: Frank Smith materials/repositories/2/archival_objects/215523Subseries I: Business and industry/repositories/2/archival_objects/215561Alcoholic Beverages Control Board/repositories/2/archival_objects/21562841-2Alcoholic Beverages Control Board - Applications/repositories/2/archival_objects/21563043Associated Industries of New York State/repositories/2/archival_objects/21563144-5Associated Industries - Annual meeting/repositories/2/archival_objects/21563346Bausch and Lomb Optical Company/repositories/2/archival_objects/21563447Beer Reduction Order/repositories/2/archival_objects/21563548Better Business Bureau - Miscellaneous solicitations/repositories/2/archival_objects/21563649-10Central Trust Company/repositories/2/archival_objects/215638411Central Trust Company statements/repositories/2/archival_objects/21563951Eastman Kodak Company/repositories/2/archival_objects/21564052-3Genesee Brewing Company/repositories/2/archival_objects/21564254Industrial Management Council/repositories/2/archival_objects/21564355Insurance - Compulsory sickness/repositories/2/archival_objects/21564456Legislature/repositories/2/archival_objects/21564557Republican campaign/repositories/2/archival_objects/21564658Writers - Copy, etc./repositories/2/archival_objects/21564759Subseries II: Army Ordnance Association/repositories/2/archival_objects/215563Anniversary luncheon/repositories/2/archival_objects/215648May 18, 194261Annual dinner/repositories/2/archival_objects/215649193862Annual dinner/repositories/2/archival_objects/215650May 18, 194463Annual meetings/repositories/2/archival_objects/2156511941, 194364-5Assurance fund/repositories/2/archival_objects/21565366Assurance fund lists/repositories/2/archival_objects/21565471Assurance fund replies/repositories/2/archival_objects/21565572Dinner/repositories/2/archival_objects/2156561941, 194373-4Endowment/repositories/2/archival_objects/21565875Membership/repositories/2/archival_objects/21565976Membership data/repositories/2/archival_objects/21566077Membership lists/repositories/2/archival_objects/21566178Memoranda - Colonel Atwood/repositories/2/archival_objects/21566279-10Plaque plan - Pre lists/repositories/2/archival_objects/21566481Plaque plan - Replies/repositories/2/archival_objects/21566582Rochester chapter/repositories/2/archival_objects/2156661938-194383-8Souvenir - Dinner/repositories/2/archival_objects/215672May 7, 194189Subseries III: Personal/repositories/2/archival_objects/215566Acknowledgments/repositories/2/archival_objects/21567391Acknowledgments "Adam and Eve"/repositories/2/archival_objects/21567492Addresses - Memos/repositories/2/archival_objects/21567593-4American Airlines/repositories/2/archival_objects/21567795American Automobile Association/repositories/2/archival_objects/21567896-7American Automobile Association Bulletins/repositories/2/archival_objects/21568098-9Announcements/repositories/2/archival_objects/215682910Atlantic City/repositories/2/archival_objects/215683911-12Automobile Club of Rochester/repositories/2/archival_objects/215685101-2Basketball schedule/repositories/2/archival_objects/2156871947, 1948, 1949103Boats/repositories/2/archival_objects/215688104Broderick, Thomas E./repositories/2/archival_objects/215689105-6Catalogs/repositories/2/archival_objects/215691107-8Colleges and universities/repositories/2/archival_objects/215693109Columbus Youth Association/repositories/2/archival_objects/2156941010Condolence letters/repositories/2/archival_objects/2156951011-12Congratulatory letters/repositories/2/archival_objects/2156971013Correspondence/repositories/2/archival_objects/2156981014-32111-42Cramwell Preparatory School/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157591143Daily Memo/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157601144Diocese of Rochester/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157611145-46Eastman concerts/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157631147-48Election - Miscellaneous data/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157651149Elks Club/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157661150-51"Entertainment" - Lectures, etc./repositories/2/archival_objects/2157681152Federal Bureau of Investigation/repositories/2/archival_objects/215769121Football, baseball, etc./repositories/2/archival_objects/215770122-3Garden catalogs and correspondence/repositories/2/archival_objects/215772124-5Genesee Valley Club/repositories/2/archival_objects/215774126-7Golden, Jay - Luncheon/repositories/2/archival_objects/215776May 16, 1947128Hallauer, Carl S./repositories/2/archival_objects/215777129Hospital/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157781210Hotel Commodore/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157791211Hotels - Miscellaneous/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157801212Hotel Waldorf-Astoria/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157811213Invitations - General/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157821214Invitations - Special/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157831215Knights of Columbus/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157841216Lake Placid Club/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157851217-18Lists/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157871219Oak Hill Country Club - Attendance at meetings/repositories/2/archival_objects/21578819441220Oak Hill Country Club - Correspondence/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157891946-19471221Oak Hill Country Club - Financial reports/repositories/2/archival_objects/21579019461222Oak Hill Country Club - Minutes/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157911946-1947131Oak Hill Country Club Annual Meeting - Reports, etc./repositories/2/archival_objects/215792132Oak Hill Country Club - Resignations/repositories/2/archival_objects/2157931946133Ponte Vedra Club - Ponte Vedra, Florida/repositories/2/archival_objects/215794134Rochester Ad Club/repositories/2/archival_objects/215795135-6Rochester Chamber of Commerce/repositories/2/archival_objects/215797137-8Rochester Civic Music Association/repositories/2/archival_objects/215799139-10The Rochester Club/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158011311-12Rochester Convention and Publicity Bureau/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158031313-14Rochester Firemen's Benefit/repositories/2/archival_objects/21580519401315Rochester Firemen's benefit fund/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158061946-19471316-18Rochester Firemen's emergency fund/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158091319Rochester Firemen's letters/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158101320Rochester Rotary Club/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158111943-1947, undated141-3Rochester Yacht Club/repositories/2/archival_objects/215814144-5Seigniory Club/repositories/2/archival_objects/215816146-7Republican campaign/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158181947148War bond correspondence, etc./repositories/2/archival_objects/215819149War committees/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158201410U.S. Damera Annual/repositories/2/archival_objects/21582119451411Vacuum cleaner/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158221412Washington - Miscellaneous correspondence/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158231413Frank J. Smith - Family photos/repositories/2/archival_objects/215840171Frank J. Smith - Portrait/repositories/2/archival_objects/215841172Group photos with Frank J. Smith/repositories/2/archival_objects/215842173John P. Smith - Portrait/repositories/2/archival_objects/215843174Lake Placid Olympics/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158441932175Miscellaneous clippings/repositories/2/archival_objects/215845176-7Old printing equipment/repositories/2/archival_objects/215847178Personal letters/repositories/2/archival_objects/215848179Photographs - John P. Smith Company interior of plant/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158491927-19281710Photographs- Printing exhibit, Chicago Fair/repositories/2/archival_objects/21585019331711Photographs - Rochester Typothetae menu/repositories/2/archival_objects/21585218961713Photographs - Smith Printing Company building/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158531714Photographs - Smith Printing Company employees/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158541715Photographs - Smith Printing Company office interior/repositories/2/archival_objects/215855circa 18901716Group photographs/repositories/2/archival_objects/215856181Framed photographs/repositories/2/archival_objects/215857182United Typothetae of America medal/repositories/2/archival_objects/215858183Frank Smith: Charity football/repositories/2/archival_objects/21589419321913Frank Smith: Christmas fund/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158951930-19311914-15Frank Smith: Identification committee/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158971916Subseries IV: Rochester Centennial/repositories/2/archival_objects/2155721934Amusement/repositories/2/archival_objects/215824151Booklets and programs/repositories/2/archival_objects/215825152Centennial book - Advertising correspondence/repositories/2/archival_objects/215826153Centennial book - Bedford comes/repositories/2/archival_objects/215827154Centennial book - Solicitors/repositories/2/archival_objects/215828155Estimates/repositories/2/archival_objects/215829156-7French dinner/repositories/2/archival_objects/215831158Graphic arts/repositories/2/archival_objects/215832159Lists/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158331510Material from other cities/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158341511Miscellaneous correspondence/repositories/2/archival_objects/215835161-3Photographs/repositories/2/archival_objects/215838164Photographs - Rochester Centennial/repositories/2/archival_objects/2158511712Reports/repositories/2/archival_objects/215839165