The Founders and Present Members of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company
Commemorative print on paper • Produced for the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, likely by a commercial lithographic firm such as Calvert Litho. Co. or similar industrial illustrators.
Style & Movement
Victorian Industrial/Commercial Art
Medium & Technique
Lithography or halftone photogravure print
Creation Period
Late 19th century, approximately 1890-1900
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 10 inches; vertical portrait format.
Subject Description
A composite portrait print featuring fifteen individual portraits of the Studebaker family and company executives. The central figure is John Studebaker (the patriarch), surrounded by the five original brothers (Clem, Peter, Henry, Jacob, and J.M.) and subsequent generations/partners. The composition includes a banner with the Latin motto 'LABOR OMNIA VINCIT' (Work Conquers All), floral flourishes, and chain motifs symbolizing industrial strength and family unity.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; the print shows significant foxing and moisture staining in the upper-left and lower margins, with yellowing consistent with age and non-archival mounting.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$40 - $80 USD
Provenance History
Likely originally distributed as a promotional piece or internal corporate gift for the Studebaker company. Current state indicates long-term private ownership, recently reframed in a 20th-century wood frame.
Art Historical Significance
Significant as a piece of American industrial history and corporate ephemera. It documents the transition of Studebaker from the world's largest wagon manufacturer to an automotive giant, highlighting the dynastic nature of American industry during the Gilded Age.
Notable Features
Includes the company's bold claim as 'The Largest Vehicle Makers in the World' and features high-quality Victorian-era typographic design and engraving-style portraiture.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing (brown spots), water staining/tide lines along the edges, and slight tonal fading of the black inks.
Conservation Recommendations
The print should be removed from the current non-archival frame, deacidified by a paper conservator to arrest foxing, and remounted using acid-free matting and UV-protective glass.