I discovered only a single type of logo yet. Found on Ludewig published cards from WW1 years only (see ill.) Identification of Ludewig printed cards is only possible with their card number together with some other layout aspects described below. There are exceptions of course! By the way, the quality of the ‘Autocolor’ (image by halftone, colours superimposed by litho process) was equal to that of Louis Glaser’s ‘Autochrom’ process. Ludewig cards are also sometimes mistaken with the products of local competitor Regel & Krug (‘Heliochrom’), who used also small size card numbers printed in red ink.

This is the only logo-like Herm. Ludewig design I managed to find yet. Original size 15 x 7 mm, found on an address side of a German WW1 fieldpost card with a street view of the city of Vouziers (France). Monochrome collotype printed, no. 12808, not p/u, c. 1915.

Company History

Otto Robert Hermann Ludewig set up his business in 1900 and although he used both processes, letterpress and lithography, he appears to have avoided the typical, popular then chromolitho “Greetings from...” cards.

The business was first found at Thalstr. 29, before he moved into his own house Leipzig-Stoetteritz, Schoenbachstr. 50 on Oct. 29, 1906. From May 1907 on the postcard publisher Trinks & Co. is found here, too.

Half of a Ludwig promo card. A view of Stuttgart (card no. 4173) on the back. Offered are full colour cards as well as a novelty, a flower frame design with views inserted by collotype process. Available also without imprint. H. Ludewig, Thalstr. = pre Oct. 1906 date.

In 1924 the H. Ludewig business was taken over by well known local printing company Guenther, Kirstein and Wendler (establ. 1907), owners: Reinhold Wendler and Richard Guenther. Both firms were now found at Schoenbachstr. 50, the business continued under the name Hermann Ludewig. Now with more than 20 large and smaller format letterpress, 9 litho and 2 collotype presses and 115-120 workers. Besides picture postcards the company concentrated on catalogue and colour printing in general.

Basel, Switzerland, view of town hall. Ludewig ‘Autocolor’, card. no. 4824. No p/u, with the at that time typical Swiss undivided UPU back layout.

below: Sumatra, Bataksch dorp, published by Hennemann & Co., Sibolga. Divided back, not p/u with Ludewig number 26726 = post-1911 printing.

This firm managed to stay in business during the difficult late 1920’s/early 1930’s, but had to reduce capacity and workforce by a great deal. Still listed in Klimsch addressbook 1933 under old name, but the 1935 edition lists it under ‘Guenther, Kirstein & Wendler’ again, employing 77 people and still with postcard printing among their various specialities. This company even survived WW2 years, always found at same location, and is even listed in the 1950 Polygraph Printing Trade directory again with various printing machines and 49 employees.

Identification of Ludewig printed postcards

As said above, this is not an easy task. Early Ludewig cards with name on, either ‘Autocolor’ halftone printed or by collotype process, are mostly of good to excellent quality. Later issues are often typical mass production quality, similar to that of Emil Pinkau.

The only constant identification mark of Ludewig is their small 5-digit card number which appears to be consecutive. Normally found at lower right corner position, the address side very often printed in green ink. However, there are exceptions. Address side printed in other colours, number found still below the writing line but arranged to the left side, the number rotated, part of lower section of the dividing line, no number at all, perhaps because of customer requirements. The relatively small, often printed in green ink 5-digit card number was sometimes mistaken with the numbering of C.G. Roeder, also from Leipzig.