Details
Title Graf Brothers
Alternate title William Graf & Co.
Date fl. 1873-1970s
Description Graf Brothers, the lithograph firm operated by German brothers Julius F. (b. 1846) and Charles L. Graf (1849-1900) in Philadelphia 1873-1970s, produced advertisements, trade cards, labels and maps. Their father, Louis (Lewis) Graf (b. ca. 1812), also a lithographer, entered the trade in 1850 and by 1859 was employed by L. N. Rosenthal at his Fifth and Chestnut Street establishment. An older brother, artist, and portrait painter William Graf (b. ca. 1843), established William Graf & Co. at 400 Chestnut Street in 1865, where Louis, Julius, and presumably Charles were employed before launching Graf Brothers in February 1873.
Graf Brothers conducted business from Third and Race Streets from 1873 to 1874 and maintained machinery valued at approximately $3,000-$4,000 according to an October 1873 Dun & Co. credit report. Subsequent business locations included 737 Sansom Street (1875-1879); 441 Chestnut Street (1880-1881); 125 North Fourth Street (1882-1889); and 320 Cherry Street (1890-1896). Charles died suddenly in 1900, leaving Julius to manage the establishment at 28 South Fifth Street. The company was incorporated between 1911 and 1913.
Is part of Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
References See Rosenthal, L. N.
Has format HSP-Graf-Tradecards-Gverso.jpg
Call number Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
Bibliographic citation Census 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910
Last, 189
Pennsylvania, Vol. 142, p. 26, R.G. Dun & Co. Collection, microfilm, Hagley Museum & Library
Philadelphia Business & City Directories, 1850-1913 (intermittently)
Philadelphia Inquirer, January 25, 1900
Image file HSP-Graf-Tradecards-Gverso