Taylor, Platt & Co.

Taylor, Platt & Co.

Overview

Taylor, Platt & Company was an American postcard publisher active during the Golden Age of postcards. The company operated from approximately 1906 to 1916, publishing various themed postcards including Jewish stereotypes, suffrage postcards, and general greeting cards.

Location and Business Details

The company was based in New York City at 1161 Broadway, Room 512. Taylor, Platt & Company first appeared in New York business directories in 1908, during the height of the postcard boom when 168 postcard firms were operating in New York City by 1909.

Products and Themes

Taylor, Platt & Company published several types of postcards including:

• Jewish stereotype postcards - featuring characters with exaggerated dialects
• Suffrage postcards - both pro and anti-suffrage themes
• General greeting cards and view cards - scenic and seasonal themes
• Comic postcards - humorous illustrations and captions

Distinctive Characteristics

Their Jewish-themed postcards depicted Jewish characters speaking in broken English with Yiddish accents, reflecting the ethnic stereotyping common in early 20th-century popular culture. These cards showed Jews in various situations, often emphasizing stereotypical physical features and mannerisms.

Publisher's Mark

The company used a distinctive logo featuring a shield design with "T.P. & CO." displayed prominently. This trademark appeared on their postcards to identify their publications.

Here is their logo on postcards:

Historical Context

Taylor, Platt & Company was one of dozens of postcard publishers that emerged during the "Golden Age" of postcards (roughly 1905-1915). The company closed its doors around 1916, as the postcard industry began to decline following World War I.