Theodor Eismann, Leipzig

Company History

Theodor Eismann from Leipzig, Saxony, was a typical pre-WW1 German postcard publishing and printing company. They participated in the postcard (export) boom, published both, topographical and subject cards. Family ties were probably a reason why they concentrated later on export to the USA. Many Eismann cards show their logo, name/initials or other specific imprints which makes identification often easy. Likely Th. Eismann worked also as a contract printer. How to identify these cards seriously is still unclear.
Friedrich Theodor Eismann established his printing / publishing business on 31 May, 1879. Some sources mention the year1884. But a contemporary literature source mentions that Th. Eismann celebrated their 25th anniversary on 10 June 1904.
First at Eilenburgerstr. 11. Leipzig-Reudnitz, by 1898 the company was found at Breitkopfstr. 9 (on the corner Fromannstr.), Leipzig. Lithography, letterpress and chromolitho printing. Specialised at the time on printing coloured tables/illustrations for the Leipzig book trade business.

By 1901 not only Theodor Eismann had retired but the business had moved to Bayersche Str. 78 rear building. The company found at same street but house number 28 later (1906-07). The firm was run by son Paul Theodor Eismann since 1905. The Leipzig register of companies lists Theo’s brother Prof. Gustav Edmund Ernst Eismann was co-owner (since c. 1906). Gustav lived in New York and led the Eismann branch at 124, West 18th Street. Th. Eismann was specialised on 3 and 4-colour printing and their "Theochrom" process. By early 1907 Eismann company employed some 80 persons, had 13 letterpress and 8 litho flatbed presses for production.
Theodor Eismann Company move to USA
Eismann appears to have concentrated on postcard printing for the US market (as well as other English speaking countries) then. Not surprising that they suffered greatly by the protective tariff of 1909. A business note found in "Papier-Zeitung" no. 10 (Feb. 3), 1910 reveals interesting news:

New York: The company of Theodor Eismann is going to ship their machinery used for postcard printing to the USA. To be installed again in the new building of the "Bush Terminal Company", 37 St., South Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Eismann is planning to employ some 600 (local) people and has opened a sales office in Manhattan Borough. There are rumours that other firms of the postcard trade in Germany are also thinking of moving business to the US.

Did Th. Eismann move completely to the USA? Likely they opened an US branch only. The Klimsch Printing Trade Directory 1913 still lists the Eismann business (now GmbH) at old address. Paul Eismann still managing director, assisted by Willy Graichen and Max Eismann. The workforce down to about 30 persons, 4 book printing and 7 litho presses of various format. Sole speciality: picture postcards by 3 and 4 colour (halftone) process; Theochrom. No mention of a factory/branch in the USA. The previously mentioned Th. Eismann GmbH (ltd. company) was dissolved in June 1914. Business continued as Theodor Eismann, letterpress and lithographic printers. Sole owner now was Gustav Edmund Ernst Eismann from Leipzig (formerly N.Y.).

Collector Marie-Louise Sundstrom was the first to discover an Eismann card showing a clear imprint "Printed in the U.S." Even with the typical Eismann "Comet" logo on. Theochrom Series 1279-15. Mailed to Germany on May 20, 1912. Are there any more?

Klimsch Directory 1921 lists the Eismann business at Bayersche Str. 28 only. Company secretary: H. Ph. M. Eismann. Still offering postcard printing. – By the mid 1920’s a new offset press was installed. Postcards no longer mentioned but printing of labels, posters, catalogues etc. – 1928: no offset press and workforce just 15 persons. – Theodor Eismann company declared insolvency early 1930.

TH. E. L. Postcards/Identification

The earliest Eismann cards I know of are a series with views of popular spots from Berlin. These show the full name imprinted and date from about 1902-03 (undivided back). Reprints with divided back are also known. These cards were printed by halftone process with additional colours superimposed by litho process. However, there is also a good chance that Eismann had printed typical "Greetings from" style cards by chromolitho process earlier. Have not seen any pre-1900 Eismann printed/published postcards yet.

Other series by Th. Eismann shows (ethnic) views from Samoa and China, Turkey, Austria, Norway, German Navy etc. Plus a number of subject cards, mostly love and romance designs good to be used with imprints for different countries.
Most other Eismann cards I have or know of were produced for the US market, the topo postcards with views from New York / East coast in general. Very similar to the (earlier) production of German printer August Frey, Frankfurt.

The illustrated detail from a full page advert placed by Eismann in "Wochenschrift fuer den Papier- u. Schreibwarenhandel", aarly February 1907 lists not only more than 300 new card designs published. Eismann claims to produce more than 100 million coloured "Theochrom" cards yearly. Wow! Now to my actual knowledge the Leipzig factory had not the capacity to produce such quantities. Perhaps Eismann had licensed their process to other printers, too?

Th. Eismann logo / imprints
Postcards printed and published by the Theodor Eismann company have no uniform design, but show often typical imprints on address side helpful for identification. Usually somewhere the initials Th. E. L. are found, often together with the process name "Theochrom" (glossy lacquer finish). The Eismann "Comet" logo also seen..

Standard typeset "Post Card" imprints were also used. Interesting is the illustrated ornamented Post Card imprint in green ink found on some Eismann cards. A poor copy of the original, earlier design used by E. Frey from New York, who did run the US branch of the Frankfurt postcard printer August Frey. Both firms appear to have had a similar background and relationship with the USA.

Take a look at some Eismann card designs...