Gerlach Barklow Co.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Calendar manufacturing, Advertising |
| Founded | 1907 |
| Defunct | 1971 |
| Headquarters | Joliet , United States |
Number of employees | 1500+ (1950s) |
The Gerlach Barklow Co. operated as a prominent art calendar manufacturer located in Joliet, Illinois, known among the largest calendar producers and advertising firms within the United States. Established in 1907, the company reached its employment zenith in the 1950s, with a workforce exceeding 1,500 individuals.
Among the distinguished artists linked to Gerlach Barklow were Arthur H. Hider, Bradshaw Crandell, Fletcher C. Ransom, Adelaide Hiebel, and Zula Kenyon. A significant number of these artists were either local inhabitants or women who frequently employed regional models, including Joliet native and Miss America 1927, Lois Delander. The firm’s artistic creations achieved acclaim, exemplified by a Gerlach-Barklow fan displayed at the Oakland Museum of California.
The primary market for Gerlach Barklow calendars consisted of corporate clients purchasing them as upscale gifts intended for important customers, underscoring a deliberate emphasis on enhancing business branding and fostering client relationships.