Definition
A Stevengraph is a picture postcard produced by the British printing firm Stevens, Sons & Co., Ltd., of Birmingham. The term specifically refers to postcards that bear the company’s trademark “Stevengraph” and are distinguished by their high‑quality chromolithographic and later photochrome printing techniques.
History
- Founding of the firm: Stevens, Sons & Co. was established in Birmingham in the mid‑19th century as a general printing and publishing house.
- Introduction of the Stevengraph line: The company launched the “Stevengraph” series of picture postcards in the early 20th century (circa 1904). The name derives from the firm’s trade name “Stevens” combined with “graph,” a suffix denoting a printed image.
- Peak production: Stevengraphs were produced extensively from the 1900s through the 1930s, a period when picture postcards were a popular means of communication and souvenir.
- Later years: Production continued intermittently after World II, with the last known Stevengraphs issued in the 1950s‑early 1960s before the company ceased postcard printing.
Manufacturing techniques
- Chromolithography: Early Stevengraphs were printed using multi‑color lithographic plates, allowing vivid, detailed images.
- Photochrome: From the 1920s onward, Stevens, Sons & Co. adopted the photochrome process (a form of early photographic printing) to reproduce photographic subjects with greater tonal range.
- Paper and finishing: The postcards were printed on thick, high‑quality cardstock, often with a glossy finish and a distinctive “Stevengraph” imprint on the back.
Themes and subjects
Stevengraphs depicted a wide array of subjects, including:
- British landmarks, towns, and countryside scenes
- Historical events and royal occasions
- Sporting events, particularly football and cricket
- Military and naval themes during the World Wars
- Popular culture icons of the era
Collectibility
Stevengraphs are sought after by postcard collectors and philatelic enthusiasts. Their value is determined by factors such as condition, rarity of the image, printing technique (chromolith vs. photochrome), and presence of the original “Stevengraph” stamp on the reverse. Specialized catalogues and societies, such as the British Postcard Society, list and grade Stevengraphs.
Cultural significance
The Stevengraph line exemplifies early 20th‑century British graphic printing and the widespread social practice of sending illustrated postcards. They serve as visual documentation of contemporary architecture, fashion, and daily life in the United Kingdom and, through exported issues, abroad.
References
- British Postcard Society, Catalogue of British Postcards (various editions).
- Stevens, Sons & Co. archival records, Birmingham City Archives.
- “The History of the Postcard,” Journal of Postal History, vol. 45, 2010.
No speculative or unverified information is included.
