The P. F. Volland Company was an American publishing firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1908 by Paul Frederick Volland, the company operated until roughly 1959 and produced a diverse range of printed materials, including poetry books, greeting cards, music sheets, children’s literature, calendars, cookbooks, and occupational games for children.
History
- Founding and Early Years (1908‑1918) – Paul Frederick Volland established the company to publish illustrated works that combined literary quality with innovative graphic design. The firm quickly became noted for employing contemporary artists and writers and for adopting modern printing technologies such as offset printing and high‑quality color illustration.
- Expansion of Product Lines – In 1909 the company added Christmas cards, and by the early 1910s it was publishing a broad catalog of children’s books and other ephemera. The “Volland Ideal” guided its editorial policy: books should delight children, promote character development subtly, and avoid material that might frighten or encourage mischief.
- Leadership Changes – Following Volland’s death in 1919 (he was shot during a business dispute), the firm was led by silent partner Frederick J. Clampitt, who served as president, with other executives such as W. R. Anderson (vice‑president) and H. S. Adams (secretary). The editorial department was headed by J. P. McEvoy.
- Relocation and Incorporation – In 1916 the company moved to the Garland Building at 58 East Washington Street, Chicago. It incorporated in Delaware in 1917.
- Mergers and Later Years (1924‑1959) – The P. F. Volland Company merged with the Gerlach Barlow Company in 1924, after which some operations moved to Joliet, Illinois. After World War II, Volland produced greeting cards aimed at the emerging African‑American market. By the mid‑1930s many of its book titles were acquired by other publishers such as Wise Book Company and M. A. Donahue & Co., and the brand name continued under successor firms, including the Shaw Barton Company.
Notable Contributions
- Design Innovation – The firm’s use of offset printing and color illustration set a standard for high‑quality children’s books and greeting cards in the early 20th century.
- Artist Collaboration – Architects Walter Burley Griffin designed office space for Volland, while his wife, architect Marion Mahony Griffin, contributed illustrations for greeting cards. The company employed many leading illustrators of the era, influencing American visual culture in children's publishing and ephemera.
- Cultural Impact – Volland’s children’s titles, such as “Bobby in Search of a Birthday” (1916) and “The Little Playmates of the Flower Children” (1912), were widely distributed and helped shape early 20th‑century notions of child‑centered literature.
Legacy
Although the P. F. Volland Company ceased independent operations by the late 1950s, its emphasis on quality illustration, innovative printing methods, and a child‑friendly editorial philosophy left a lasting imprint on American publishing, particularly in the realms of children’s books and greeting cards.