Details
Title National Chromo Company
Alternate title J. Latham & Co.
Date fl. 1876-1885
Description National Chromo Company, a chromolithograph publishing firm established by "Christians Voice" and patent medicine proprietor James M. Munyon (1848-1908) and flour clerk F. W. Spousler operated 1875-1885. The firm, relocated to 927 Chestnut Street from 717 Sansom Street by 1876, specialized in parlor prints, and published the majority of the lithographs printed by the Philadelphia chroma factory of E. P. & L. Restein, including "The Flag that Waved One Hundred Years" (1876).
Despite remaining in operation until 1885, the establishment suffered from financial and managerial difficulties during much of its existence. According to credit reports, Munyon, manager of the establishment until 1879, suffered "ill health" and owed and made deals with several creditors, including the Resteins by 1876. Between 1877 and 1879, G.A. Crockett and then J. Latham & Co. of Boston assumed proprietorship of the firm. Reestablished as J. Latham & Co. as of 1881, the firm also specialized in picture frames by 1882. Between 1883 and 1885, several judgments, including over $1400 to the Resteins, went against the firm which went out of business in the fall of 1885.
Is part of Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
References See Restein, E. P. & L.
Has format Smithsonian-ArchivesCenter-NationalChromo.jpg
Call number Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
Bibliographic citation Library Company of Philadelphia research file
National Chromo Co., 927 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. catalog, Warshaw Collection of Business Ephemera, Archives Center, Smithsonian Institute NMAH Pennsylvania, Vol. 148, p. 410, R.G. Dun & Co. Collection, microfilm, Hagley Museum & Library
Philadelphia Business and City Directories, 1876-1881
Image file Smithsonian-ArchivesCenter-NationalChromo