Mohawk Blog

The Strathmore Timeline from 1898-1969

Words
Mohawk
Strathmore logo on black background

In 2014, Mohawk stumbled upon a paper holy grail: a collection of samples, swatchbooks and sales guides boxed up in a warehouse, all but forgotten.

Spanning more than a century, The Strathmore Archive is more than merely ephemera: It serves as a tactile, visual history of graphic design styles and culture.

Here, we offer you a window to the work of some of the best designers of the 20th century with Strathmore paper as the backdrop:

Cover of a historic Strathmore publication
1899 | Strathmmore Deckle Edge Paper
Designed and printed by Will Bradley’s University Press, this woodcut is a perfect expression of Bradley’s fascination with colonial printing and stands as one of the earliest examples of a paper swatchbook.
Another historic strathmore book with a mustard-colored cover
1906 | Strathmore Quality Paper
This book cover of a Strathmore Paper guide is a clear reflection of Bradley’s work in that period, featuring his hand lettering and the first use of a thistle as the company logo.
A Strathmore sample that says "Alexandra Japan" with a floral illustration
1919 | Alexandra Japan
In 1919, William Dwiggins created this complex specimen book project for Strathmore. The cover is a beautiful example of his signature ornamentation created using wooden stamps and celluloid stencils.
A Strathmore sample printed in bright blue, green and red
1921 | Paper is Part of the Picture
The “Paper is Part of the Picture” campaign was launched in 1921 and featured work like this small poster-format illustration where the base paper color plays a key role in the figure/ground relationship.
A Strathmore sample featuring a vintage illustration featuring a glamorous couple
1924 | Strathmore Town
This page from Book No. 3 of the Strathmore Town” series was designed and illustrated by Helen Dryden, a brilliant illustrator whose Vogue magazine covers from the 1920s are iconic.
Cover of a vintage Strathmore Handbook with thistle logo
1938 | Strathmore Handbook
The cover to this paper handbook features Charles R. Capon’s interpretation of the iconic Strathmore Thistle. Capon was a skilled and successful artist with a career spanning the first half of the 20th century.
Cover of a Strathmore brochure featuring the yellow thistle logo with blue accents
1943 | A Trademark of Quality
As part of the wartime promotional effort, Strathmore states the case for quality in the midst of rationing and compromise.
Strathmore poster featuring a modern illustration of a person sunbathing
1950 | Expressive Printing Papers
Known for his use of strong, direct forms and his role in establishing American modernism, Lester Beall extols the expressive power of paper in this quintessentially Beall printed portfolio.
Strathmore sample featuring an elephant
1954 | For Rugs Visit the Blue Elephant 25 Grand St
In 1954, the year he was awarded the AIGA medal, Will Bradley created a portfolio of illustrations (including this piece) celebrating 60 years of collaboration with Strathmore.
Strathmore sample featuring kitchen items in vintage colors
1964 | If all the World were Paper
Pushpin Studios’ eclectic aesthetic is wonderfully represented in this 1964 folder that explores the interaction between paper, printing and embellishing techniques.
strathmore poster featuring a pop illustration of Medusa, reimagined in pink and blue
1968 | Are You Afraid of Strathmore?
This is one example from an ad campaign that ran throughout 1968 and was illustrated by Simms Taback, whose career included stints at CBS Records and the New York Times.
Strathmore poster featuring bold, bright typography
1969 | HiFi
In 1969, Kenneth Kuenster designed this two-product printed sample relying heavily on letterforms and bold color to convey the oh-so-’60s theme: HiFi.

Suggested Articles

The Perfect Match image of cover
Mohawk Blog

The Perfect Match

Explore color and texture through the eyes of Thomas Heinz. Mohawk introduces, The Perfect Match.