J.P. Stevens Engraving Company records
Scope and Content
This collection primarily contains engraving and stationery samples from J.P. Stevens Engraving Company. Included are invitations for noteworthy events in Atlanta's history, such as an invitation to the fiftieth anniversary convention for the Coca-Cola Fountain Sales Corporation and an invitation to the opening of the Ponce de Leon Park. In addition, this collection contains documentation from the personal finances of J.P. Stevens including estate settlement documents such vouchers and receipts; income tax returns and data; and correspondence with the Internal Revenue Service.
Dates
- 1894-1975, undated
Creator
- J. P. Stevens Engraving Company (Atlanta, Ga.) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.
Administrative/Biographical History
In 1874 Josiah Percival Stevens (1852-1929) established the J.P. Stevens Engraving Company in Atlanta, Georgia. Stevens moved to Atlanta in 1871, married Jeannie Alexander (1855-1950) in 1879, and worked as a jeweler, watchmaker, and engraver for the jeweler George Sharpe. He invented a steel die-embossing press in 1896, the first automatic press in 1898, and the first engraving machine for copper plates in 1904. By using these machines at the J.P. Stevens Engraving Company, he improved the printing process. The company became popular locally at its 43 Whitehall Street location. In 1973, the S.C. Toof Company purchased the J.P. Stevens Engraving Company from the Stevens family, and within the next five years transitioned to commercial engraving. In 1979, the company was sold to William T. Bradshaw and his son, Tom Bradshaw, who opened an additional storefront at 56 East Andrews Drive, in addition to the existing location at the company’s production facilities at 1824 Briarwood Industrial Court. The company was again sold in 1997 to Stuart F. Cooper Co. but later went out of business.
Extent
11.51 linear ft. (10 document cases and five oversize boxes)
Language
English
System of Arrangement
This collection is arranged alphabetically according to titles supplied by staff. Oversize material is listed last.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift, 1975, with subsequent additions.
- Title
- J.P. Stevens Engraving Company records
- Author
- Melanie Stephan
- Date
- December 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository