Identification by printer code

For their own records printers imprinted a job/card number. This could be a plain 3 to 6-digit number, a combination of numbers and letters and sometimes really different as in the case of E. Pinkau & Co, Leipzig and their “Dot & Dash” code (researched by George Webber). These codes are found usually on the address side, but not always. Sometimes arranged inside stamp box and when postally used hidden below postage stamp.

Numbers: Often not very exciting for research unless you have plenty of cards at hand (best from various countries) to compare and find enough identical arranged cards (size of number, font used, printing colours/styles) of which one might bear the printers name. Some printers used the same job/card number for reprints, others used a consecutive numbering and reprints always received a new number. (like C.G. Roeder, Leipzig, a big contract printer and widely researched in TPA by George Webber and others).

Some number codes reveal additional information and state the year the card was printed. Dr. Trenkler & Co., as well as collotype printers Glass & Tuscher, both from Leipzig, used year date codes for a longer period. Good for dating not postally used cards.

Sometimes card numbers show a a single letter prefix. This is often a code for the quality / process or make. Generally found only on cards ordered by big customers who ordered different printing qualities from the same printer for a longer period. For a better internal organisation. Could be the other way too, that the printer used an prefix for specific customers or more likely a printing process, extra finish, hand-colouring or whatever.

General problems: Is the number found on a card a printer or a publisher card number? Was printer and publisher the same firm? What when there are two numbers around? There have been cases that cards from the same printing source show numbers or codes, and others not. Without was usually done on customers demand who probably wanted his own codes to be listed only. As said before a number alone is rarely good for identification. Other layout elements as well as the printing quality or anything characteristic must be considered, too.

Please go with cursor on ills above to see printer’s name.

Engelberg - this view of a town in the mountains was published by Papezik & Weihrauch from the city of Chemnitz, Saxony. Described as “artist-card” quality = collotype printed view with at least 4 colours superimposed by litho process. P&W were postcard publishers/wholesalers. The printer can be identified by the small ‘J. 7864’ imprint found at lower right corner of promo side. It is an early code used by C.G. Roeder, Leipzig. The tables shown In TPA issue 20 allow to date this card to be printed by late 1901/early 1902. This card is indeed valuable for research as it documents a company name change, too.