The Rotograph Co. of New York City was founded in 1904 by Germans Arthur Schwarz and Ludwig Knackstedt. Schwarts worked for the Neue Photographische Gesellschaft, a major European bromide photo paper manufacturer known for its high-quality photographic products. Knackstedt was from Knackstedt & Nather (a Hamburg-based printer). After taking over the National Art Views Co., the Rotograph Company became the American branch of Neue Photographische Gesellschaft.
Many of their early cards were reprints of black and white or hand-colored National Art postcards and were printed without any letter prefixes. Some of these cards include the Sol Art Prints logo.
The company emphasized its high-quality printing and a large number of images – over 2 million views from all around the United States. The proprietary rights were owned by Rotograph Co., but the company also printed cards with photographs supplied by clients. The local companies that sold the postcards would appear as the publisher while Rotograph Co. would be the printer.
The company closed in 1911.
Style A
Views that were printed in sharply defined black and white collotype with their titles printed in a separate press run in letterset.
Style E
Views that were printed as tinted halftones with divided backs.
Style H
Views that were printed in a sharply defined collotype that was hand-colored.
Source: Metro Postcard & Canada Lakes Conservation
For more Rotograph Co. images not in this collection, check out The Rotograph Project by Chris.