Raphael Tuck and Sons

History

Raphael was married to the former Ernestine Lissner in March 1848. She gave birth to seven children, four boys and three girls, all born in Prussia prior to their migration to England. As the family of seven children grew, the children provided more help to the business. Raphael sent out his sons, Herman, Adolph and Gustave to bring in more business. Herman and Adolph also went on selling trips, and at the end of the day they would check the results of the day's work. The one with the higher sales would have the bigger egg next morning for breakfast.

Three of the four sons participated in the firm established by their father. Their second son, Adolph, was chairman and managing director of Raphael Tuck and sons, Ltd. until his death on 3 July 1926. He was created a baronet on 19 July 1910 (see Tuck baronets). The Tuck coat-of-arms features a shield with a flaming antique lamp above which are two hands in the attitude of prayer, with two crossed F’s in a circle at the lower part of the shield. The crest shows a seated lion supporting an artist's palette whereupon is inscribed the work “Thorough". The Tuck motto inscribed on a ribbon below the shield is “Cum Deo”.

Raphael had received training in graphic arts in his home country; and, although he was not an artist himself, he had a flair for commercial art that prompted his interest in this new field. Upon coming to England, he caught the imagination of the public in such a way that he was able to create a new graphic arts business. He was so successful at it that, according to the “The Times”, he “opened up a new field of labor for artists, lithographers, engravers, printers, ink and paste board makers, and several other trade classes”.

Tuck’s continued to run very successful postcard competitions through the early 1900s with the focus changing to collectors of Tuck postcards rather than the artists whose work was depicted. The top part of the 1903 Tuck Exchange Register pictured above announces the second of Tuck’s prize competitions which began in 1900. The prize competitions aroused much interest. The first contest winner turned in a collection of 20, 364 cards over the 18-month duration of the contest. The second prize competition winner submitted 25, 239 cards. In 1914 the fourth prize competition was announced. The competitions were a novel and effective marketing technique.

Although the Tuck firm did some black-and-white printing in their London offices, the majority of color work was contracted for in Germany, Raphael’s home country. This is evidenced by the printed (or chromographed) in Bavaria, Germany or Saxony inscribed on the majority of the early Tuck postcards.

The greatest period of expansion of the Tuck firm came under direction of Adolph who had joined his father in 1870. Gustave and Herman soon followed their brother in 1871. Adolph became managing director, which included control of the art department. Gustave directed the book and calendar departments, while Herman handled the financial end of the business.

Raphael House enabled the Tuck firm to consolidate their various offices and departments that had spread throughout various Parts of the city. In addition to the administrative offices, the new building provided adequate space for eight functioning departments: Card Department (Toy-Books, Gift-Books, Booklets); Birthday Book Department; Educational Department; Wall Text and Scripture Motto Department; Engraving Department; Chromo, Oleograph, and Art Study Department; Relief and Art Novelty Department; and Show-Card Department. These Tuck departments attest to the fact that the Victorian age was the age of printed pictorials that took shape by means of the various printing and engraving processes.

1866

Raphael Tuck opens shop on Union Street, Bishopsgate, now known as Brushfield street, and begin selling pictures and frames.

1870

Raphael moved to 177 City Road. His three sons joined him as the picture-framing and picture side developed into importing and publishing.

1871

The company produces their first Christmas greeting card.

1880

New premises were taken at 72, 73 Coleman Street. Son Adolph launched a nationwide contest offering 5,000 guineas in prizes for the best Christmas card designs. Over five thousand paintings were said to have been entered in the contest. Entries were displayed in the Dudley Galleries and vast crowds visited the exhibition. Over 2,500 pounds was spent in buying entries and launching the Christmas card industry as an annual custom throughout the world. Both amateur and professional artists submitted entries for the close scrutiny of the judges. Literary merit was also considered with Grant Allen serving as judge of appropriate texts. Marcus Stone headed a committee of well-known artists in the selection of the designs. Also in this year, the famous trade mark was applied for, and was finally registered on March 2, 1881.

1882

Paris branch opens.

1893

Queen Victoria granted the firm the Royal Warrant of Appointment. Tuck cards thereafter bore the message, “Art Publishers to Her Majesty the Queen”. Future sovereigns continued the warrant of appointment.

1895

On December 27, 1895, the firm was incorporated as a limited company, with a registered office at 72 Coleman Street, London, E.C. The same year, they opened a new branch in New York. His wife, Ernestine died and Raphael’s health began to fail.

1899

Raphael House is opened on July 6, 1899, located between Tenter street, and White Street. Its five floors held every department for the existing business. The first experimental Snowdon postcard was produced, entitled the View postcard, showing scenes of London, with an individual number given to each card.

1900

Early in the year, the first 45 sets of postcards were ready. They covered the outstanding attractions of London and the River Thames. All these cards had undivided back, leaving the room to write a message on the front, that was only partially covered by the image.

Raphael Tuck died on March 16, 1900. Adolph and his brothers continued to expand the business after Raphael’s death.

In July, 1900 the first postcard competition was announced, Prizes of £1,000 were offered for the largest collection of Tuck cards sent through post. First prize was awarded to the owner of 20,364 cards, a huge total to collect through the eighteen-month duration of the contest. Events such as these helped foster the 'postcard boom'.

The sons of Adolph Tuck, Reginald and Desmond continued the business their grandparents had started. With the advent of World War I, they volunteered for military service. In 1910 the Tuck Baronetcy was created for Adolph Tuck. He died in 1926 and was succeeded as 2nd Baronet by Reginald, his eldest son. Soon after that Gustave retired and the business was left in the hands of Sir Reginald and Desmond.

1903

The famous 'Oilette' series is introduced, as well as the 'Proof' series. The Proof series were printed on superior board, every set was stamped with a consecutive number, and a register was kept of whom the set had been sold to.

1906

Notable artists illustrating sets this year included Lance Thackeray, illustrating sets such as Amateur Gardening, Society Pets and John Hassall with Humour of Life.

Another competition was announced in February. The aim to establish the longest chain. Any public institution could be nominated, and the originator had to get as many as possible to buy a packet of Tuck cards, send one in to the institution, and the rest to his friends, telling them to do so as well. Prizes were £1000 to the institution with the most cards, and £50 to anyone that sent a card to the winning institution.

1914

The fourth competition was said to have taken place in March, but there is proof it was actually not the fourth competition, yet it was named that but Tucks themselves. Only cards passing through the post after January 1 were accepted, and the winner was once again decided by the largest collection.

A separate competition was held for children, called 'Father Tuck's Painting Book Competition', with samples such as those by A. Barraud. The child then painted some of the cards in the book, which were perforated for easy removal.

World War I-II

During World War I and World War II, a greatly reduced, but steady flow of sets continued, with the themes of many cards changing. Titles such as The Call of The Flag, and Prisoner of War became more prominent.

1940

In the night of December 29, 1940, the Nazis poured tons of bombs on London. By morning, Raphael House was shell and rubbish. Records of seventy-four years and 40,000 or more original pictures and photographs by the best artists were in ashes. In spite of having to start over, the company was soon making progress.

1950

After the war, many employees came back, and the company enjoyed success. New headquarters built in the west-end of London. They also built a branch in Northampton.

1954

Sir Reginald Tuck dies, and his son Bruce inherited the title of baronet, but soon left the Company. Desmond Tuck is now in charge of the company.

1959

Desmond Tuck retires. The company combined with two others to become the British Printing Corporation, (renamed British Printing & Communications Corporation in 1982 and finally Maxwell Communications Corporation in 1987), which was originally located only a short distance from where the first shop of Ernestine and Raphael Tuck once stood.