| Title |
W.F. Geddes Sons |
| Date |
fl. 1868-ca. 1900s |
| Description |
W. F. Geddes Sons, job and lithographic printers, established by William F. Geddes (ca. 1799-1888) as a book, job & fancy
printing shop ca. 1837 at 9 Library Street, operated until ca. 1945. In 1868 the firm renamed W.F. Geddes Sons (724 Chestnut
Street) added lithographic printing to their services, although in 1839 the firm published an M. E. D. Brown lithograph of
Washington's Family. Specimens of the firm's lithographic work, predominately calendars and their specialty, fruit can labels,
was highlighted often in the "Printers' Circular" during the mid to late 1870s. In 1874 the firm received an honorable mention
for this latter work at the Franklin Institute Exhibition of Manufacturers. Geddes Sons remained active until at least the
early 20th century, with Geddes's son William F. assuming all operations by 1880 following the retirement of his father. The
firm was still in operation in 1945.
|
|
William F. Geddes, born ca. 1799 in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, married Mary Butler, daughter of Robert Butler, Esq. in
Philadelphia in July 1834. The couple had at least four children, including sons Robert C. (b. ca. 1845) and William F., Jr.
(b. ca, 1848). During the 1850s and 1860s, the family resided in the Southwark Ward and by 1870 had relocated residences to
2001 Wallace Street in the Fairmount neighborhood. Geddes died on January 30, 1888. He was a past Grand Master of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows Pennsylvania lodge and an honorary member of the typographical society.
|
| Is part of |
Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers |
| References |
See Brown, M. E. D. |
| Has format |
Smithsonian-ArchivesCenter-Geddes.jpg |
| Call number |
Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers |
| Bibliographic citation |
Census 1850, 1870, 1880, 1900 |
|
Franklin Institute, Report of the Twenty-Seventh Exhibition of American Manufacturers (1874), 90 |
|
Library Company of Philadelphia research file |
|
Peters, 115 |
|
Philadelphia Inquirer, January 31, 1888 |
|
Printers' Circular (August 1868): 167 |
| Image file |
Smithsonian-ArchivesCenter-Geddes |
