Donaldson Brothers
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Lithography, Printing |
| Founded | 1872 |
| Founder | Frank J. Donaldson, George W. Donaldson, John L. Donaldson, Robert M. Donaldson |
| Defunct | 1892 |
| Fate | Merged into American Lithographic Company |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Chromolithographic trade cards, advertising prints, posters, commercial labels |
Donaldson Brothers (–1892) was a prominent American firm specializing in lithography and printing, located in the Five Points neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The enterprise was managed by four siblings—Frank J., George W., John L., and Robert M. Donaldson—who had emigrated from Edinburgh, Scotland to the United States in 1856. The company focused on producing chromolithographic trade cards and advertising prints, employing high-speed steam presses to efficiently manufacture vivid, colorful images. In 1892, Donaldson Brothers became part of the newly established American Lithographic Company, a significant printing conglomerate based in New York City.
Founding and Early Years
The Donaldson siblings, children of John and Barbara Hume (Montgomery) Donaldson from Edinburgh, relocated to the United States in 1856 and had settled in Brooklyn by 1860. Each brother pursued a career in lithography, and by 1878 their operations were based at 2 Mission Place within the Five Points area of Lower Manhattan. While Frank J. Donaldson is frequently recognized as the main founder, all four brothers were actively involved in managing the business.
Business Activities and Offerings
Operating out of their Five Points location at 2 Mission Place, the Donaldson brothers produced a range of chromolithographed advertising materials including trade cards, posters, and commercial labels. Their use of advanced steam-powered printing machinery enabled them to generate large volumes of brightly colored images, earning them a reputation for excellence in commercial lithography.
By late 1892, the company was incorporated into Joseph Palmer Knapp's American Lithographic Company.
1875 Fire Incident at Five Points
On December 10, 1875, a significant fire broke out, destroying two adjacent buildings on Mission Place near the square where Worth Street and Park Street meet Baxter Street. The blaze was reportedly detected shortly after 5 a.m. by a patrolman from the Sixth Precinct. Firefighting units from the Second Battalion arrived promptly. The fire initially consumed the first floor before rapidly ascending through an elevator shaft to upper levels. Several nearby buildings sustained damage, with total losses estimated at approximately US$300,000.