Backs and Imprints

Backs and Imprints. I have abandoned names in favor of description. If you have seen backs not illustrated here, please scan them to me.

Rotograph took over NAV in 1904, eventually adding its own logo and changing the font. The early lithographic views declare their identity as Rotographs by their copyright O/F and by logo O/B in characteristic red, red-orange, sometimes green or black font.

NAV 592

First, a National Art Views card, front and back, for comparison. Many NAVs are b&w; this one happens to be in color. In fact it bears the "Handcolored" notation familiar to Rotograph collectors. It also has the name National Art Views and the nearly cursive serif font which describes the scene.

A6675

Next, an 'A' series card in b&w with the usual Sol logo from their early udb types. Font O/F is less ornate than NAV cards, but the back bears similar blocked caps at top center. This 1905 view has a sun emblem O/B with "Sol Art Prints" imprinted inside the circumference and "The R Co." at the center.

D32a	Variation on above; Rotograph name to right.
3582	"Sol Art Prints" also appears on the early udb cards as a highly elaborate legend, rays shining from behind the 'S,' rather than a full sun emblem.

9383

Many early udb cards show no logo at all, and on the back mention only the name of a merchant from the town or region depicted on the front.

55336

Adirondack Mt. Lake Scene

What must have been a transitional back is this db with the earlier block lettering at top but no sol logo. Card number, however, is very high.

E34018

Divided-back view cards and greetings began to use an elaborate "circus banner" font at top center. The Sun logo is not present, just the company name, bottom left edge.

B1	This d/b real photo portrait has a similar back, but note the simpler company identification, lower left edge.

243/3 GL28121

Finally, an embossed greeting and a GL view with similar "banner" backs, but with a quite different Rotograph logo. The company name appears with what I take to be a small solar flare (possibly a wave or flame). F and FL patriotics, comics, and novelties have this logo.

A361 B1383 Another 'B'

Real photo cards of English royalty, L., and actors or theatre, C. & R., with black, orange, or brown ink.

No series #. See MISC. page.	Salesman's sample card back.
No series #. See MISC page.	The "bookmark" cards have a very irregular narrow shape with print at top center which looks like typewriter font. Logo is the familiar stylized company name.
Two different styles.	Heavy "patent" cards holding about a dozen fold-out views, all bearing patent no. 806631. See MISC page.
San Francisco Earthquake No series #.	Each back gives a brief report from Harper's Weekly. See MISC page.