The Warner Printing Collection
updated 11/2023
Note: All items in the post are original
As a one of the directors of the Ravenswood-Lake View Historical Association, I volunteered in 2019 to sort and catalog an overwhelming contribution/donation for the Association from someone who thought of our mission - to seek out historical information and artifacts that pertain to Community of Lake View and the neighborhood of Ravenswood. While Warner Printing Company had clients throughout the Chicagoland area this blog only includes businesses and organizations that were located in Lake View, my primary focus of this blog.
The Warner Printing Company once operated in Lake View on Sheffield Avenue. The company printed paper business supply products for small businesses. Apparently, the original name was Warner-Windahl in 1920 and by 1924 the last name was dropped according to The List of Domestic and Foreign Corporations. The last company address was the home of the owner of this company
C. W. Strom.
There are two 'take-aways' from this collection, 1) many of the company's clients were Swedish-Americans and 2) there were a lot of small manufacturing companies in Chicago.
1920
1924
a typical folder of a customer below
the reverse side of a folder
One of my conditions in volunteering to this project in mid 2019 was to be able to keep a sample product from each folder. The condition of the the majority of the materials within each folder were good to excellent condition due to the excellant quality of the Warner Printing Company's folders. I was able to complete my project after the shelter-in-place period of Covid-19 crisis in September of 2020.
2019 photo - Garry Albrecht
Project Complete in 2020
and sent to Sulzer Regional Library for storage
The Collection:
The Warner Printing Company
Project Complete in 2020
and sent to Sulzer Regional Library for storage
The Collection:
The Warner Printing Company
The first location was in Lake View
a business reply card with a list of their products
a business reply card with a list of their products
envelope with prices
a typical correspondence ...
and then ...
the company moved to the
the company moved to the
Community of Irving Park, Chicago in 1933
Their Customers:
Belmont-Sheffield Trust & Savings Bank
This bank was established shortly before the Great Depression of 1929 and did not survive it.
The building is still located on southwest corner.
pre-fold biz card in size
a small 4 page booklet
Roscoe Flower Shop
Their had events both at The Viking Temple at 3257 N Sheffield and Lincoln Turner Hall on Diversey
This organization seceded from the 'Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois of Odd Fellows' that was established in 1923
a poster above
On July 17, 1914, the Swedish-American Athletic Association was chartered by the State of Illinois. The S.A.A.A. was formed by the merger of three groups dating back to the 1880's; The Swedish Gymnastic Club, Eskil Athletic Club of the southside, and the Scandia Athletic Club of the northside.
one of few Swedish churches that was established in the Township of Lake View in the 1880's.
flyers below
D. Rosen Shoe Store
Salvation Army Temple of Lake View
Sheffield Dining Room
a business card in size
According to a 1923 Sanborn Fire Map this location was a church/meeting place. Wilton Avenue and appears to be the 'ground zero' for the Swedish-American community in the Township/City/Community of Lake View
According to a 1923 Sanborn Fire Map this location was a church/meeting place. Wilton Avenue and appears to be the 'ground zero' for the Swedish-American community in the Township/City/Community of Lake View
the temple building above and
a member of the organization below
a member of the organization below
Radium Studios was also Lake View biz
selected pages
another pamphlet
pre-fold
more members of this organization
that was used for the pamphlets
a guest speaker
a program booklet
Swedish American Relief Committee
Dr. Livingston for Women's Health
another 4 page booklet
pre-folded business card in size
for bird cages
O.M. Howard Signs
a full page advertisement
various locations on Lincoln Avenue
St. Sebastian's Catholic Church
currently the location of Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital
currently the location of Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital
pre-folded product for the customer
reverse side of small 3 x 5 card
a donation envelope below
reverse side of envelope
for their rolodex
a 5 page rectangular fold-out
zoomed below
zoomed below again
A Parish Dramatic Club booklet
and the reverse side
painter and decorator
manufacturers of metal polish
Ernest F. Olson Men's Wear
Gastis Restaurant Shopping Bag
Max A.R. Matthews Hardware
The Sheffield Club
K. Anderson Moving and Expressing
Claremont Theatre
known to be a Swedish language theater
Callahan & Company
furniture & piano moving
plus machinery movers
manufacturer of gold leaf
Gold leaf is gold that has been hammered into thin sheets
by goldbeating and is often used for gilding
complete set of stationary
private investigator
Metal Dance Bid Company
Schneidier Wheel & Spring Works
most of the Community of Lake View
was in the 46th ward at the time
a moving location card
Real Estate 'For Rent' Signs
18 x 12 in size
Doric Temple
Park Lane Chapter # 934
on Irving Park Road
La Claire Bath & Beauty Salon
their business cards
a full page advertisement
North Shore Building Material Company
Hamen's Curtain Service
Fleckles Auction House
once located at 3422 Sheffield Avenue
per the original folder it protected
with folder/address
plus insurance & loans
to be split by the printing company for delivery ...
Addison Coal Company (Kermore Avenue)
The Acme Exterminating Company
a wholesaler
George B. Barwig Furniture Company
based at the Viking Temple on Sheffield Avenue
pre-folded business card size
For the Rush B. Johnson campaign
pre-cut
Diversey Hall at 1201 W Diversey
at the 'Lake View Station' on Newport Avenue
Dr. R.F. Elmer
physician & surgeon
E.A Pinkerton's "Kleen Heet"
Miami Club
Port Irving Garage & Motor Sales
A Hotel Belmont Event
Carlson's Market order sheet
The Newport Grill
Events/Meet-ups:
Link's Hall
currently the Metro
Lincoln Turner Hall
Trinity Church (at Kenmore)
These cards are a mini-glimpse of the type of products and services offered during the first half of the 1930's that
Warner Printing Company produced for their clients
Dr. F. Detlefsen
*above Meyer's Drug Store*
Max Matthews Hardware
Lake View X-Ray Laboratory
Hotels like these offered apartment living with hotel services
a jeweler & optometrist - an interest twist
Rokeby = Fremont
Communist Party of America
Post Note:
I hope my collection will entice the viewer to explore my extensive blog and learn more of the history of our community that I once called home. Donations (not a non-profit) are wonderful to receive and will be posted in the blog with full credit to the donor.
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Important Note:
These posts are exclusively used for educational purposes. I do not wish to gain monetary profit from this blog nor should anyone else without permission from the original source - thanks!
