Sepiatone and Photochrom brand names

[Moonraker]

I would welcome a few words, please, on the Photochrom and Sepiatone brand names of the early 20th century. At least I assume from imprints on the backs of cards that these were names of the companies publishing the cards, rather than merely denoting the printing processes. All I need to know is when the companies were established, where they were based, the geographical spread of their cards and whether they much featured military activities such as summer camps.

And "Grosvenor" seems as if it could be a national brand, though I suspect not. The only cards I have bearing the name are of Codford Camp in Wiltshire, though I've yet to trace any local photographer/publisher of that name.

Thanks in advance!

[eastlondonpostcard]

I would welcome a few words, please, on the Photochrom and Sepiatone brand names of the early 20th century. At least I assume from imprints on the backs of cards that these were names of the companies publishing the cards, rather than merely denoting the printing processes. All I need to know is when the companies were established, where they were based, the geographical spread of their cards and whether they much featured military activities such as summer camps.

And "Grosvenor" seems as if it could be a national brand, though I suspect not. The only cards I have bearing the name are of Codford Camp in Wiltshire, though I've yet to trace any local photographer/publisher of that name.

Thanks in advance!

According to Anthony Byatt's book , 'Picture Postcard & Their Publishers' , Photochrom were one of the most prolific publishers of all with origins as the Photochrom Zurich Co., Ltd. registered in 1894/5 as the Photoglob Co. & the Art Intstitute Orell, Fussli. The Photochrom Company Ltd. was registered in Great Britain in December 1896. Their name came from the Photochrom process which they created. Although their offices were at 61/63 Ludgate Hill, the principals lived in Tunbridge Wells.

By 1900 view cards of most towns in Britain were on sale ... in 1906 they claimed to hold a quarter of a million negatives. During WW1 they were quick to seize the opportunity to bring our many new postcards and similarly in WW2, producing many fine sets of postcards.

'Grosvenor' was the series name from William Ashton & Sons Ltd. of Southport. ... identified by the intials "W A & S S" The series name comes from the Grosvenor Works where they were based.

[Moonraker]

Thanks for that. I've now discovered that Sepiatone was a brand name of the Photochrom Company.

[PontefractWanted]

I would welcome a few words, please, on the Photochrom and Sepiatone brand names of the early 20th century. At least I assume from imprints on the backs of cards that these were names of the companies publishing the cards, rather than merely denoting the printing processes. All I need to know is when the companies were established, where they were based, the geographical spread of their cards and whether they much featured military activities such as summer camps.

And "Grosvenor" seems as if it could be a national brand, though I suspect not. The only cards I have bearing the name are of Codford Camp in Wiltshire, though I've yet to trace any local photographer/publisher of that name.

Thanks in advance!

I believe that Sepiatone was actually the name of a series of cards published by The Photochrom Co Ltd between from 1910s to 1930s.

This resource is your friend: http://postcards.wikidot.com/publishers-series

There are 4 recorded postcard series named 'Grosvenor' on that list...

Grosvenor Series - William Ashton & Sons, Southport (1900s) (view)
Grosvenor Series - A.F.S. (1910s-1920s)
Grosvenor Series - W.H. Smith & Son, Bristol (1900s-1910s) (view) (view)
Grosvenor Series - W.H. Smith & Son, London (1900s-1910s) (view)

If there a logo of some sort that might help you ascertain the publisher, more than likely W.H. Smith, I've got Grosvenor cards from them.

[Moonraker]

Thanks for that, especially concerning the Grosvenor series. I've been looking for such a website.