WEBB COMPANY:
An Inventory of Its Records at the Minnesota Historical Society
Manuscripts Collection
| | |
| Creator: |
Webb Company, creator.
|
| Title: | Webb Company records. |
| Dates: | 1900-1992. |
| Abstract: | Organizational records documenting the history of a St. Paul
(Minn.) printing and publishing company, which specialized in agricultural
publications. |
| Quantity: | 2.25 cubic feet (3 boxes). |
| Location: | See Detailed Description for shelf
locations. |
The Webb Company was founded in 1882 as the Webb Publishing Company when Edward A.
Webb, a Fargo, North Dakota newspaperman, purchased The
Northwestern Farmer and Breeder, a Monthly Journal for the Farm, Orchard, and
Household. The title was shortened to The
Northwestern Farmer in March, 1893, and changed to The Farmer in September, 1898.
The company moved to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1890. A book division was created in
1894; a Winona, Minnesota newspaper entitled The Farmer's
Wife was purchased in 1903; and the firm began printing telephone
directories in 1908. The Farmer's Wife was sold in the
mid-1930s.
In 1904 Webb was joined by two associates, Albert H. Harmon and Horace C. Klein. When
Webb died in 1915, these men took control of the company and eventually passed the
company ownership on to their sons, Horace D. Klein and Reuel Harmon.
The company continued to diversify and add publications, eventually becoming one of
the largest printing and publishing firms in the nation. It purchased and merged
Farm, Stock, and Home with The Farmer in 1929; The Farmer and Breeder,
a Sioux Falls, South Dakota publication, was added in 1930; the Minnesota Farmer was purchased in 1960; and the Dakota Farmer was acquired in January 1980.
The company built a new plant in 1962, which consolidated its operations under one
roof. Its common stock was offered to the public in 1972 and its name was shortened
to Webb Company in 1973. By the late 1970s the company had expanded its operations
to include four major divisions: Publishing, Creative Communications, Webb Printing
Division, and Midwest Printing Company.
After 100 years of independent operation the Webb Company was purchased in November
1986 by British Printing & Communications Corp. In 1989 the firm was sold to
Intertec Publishing and became Webb Division, Intertec Publishing.
Historical data was taken from the collection and from Webb Division, Intertec
Publishing.
Return to top
Organizational records documenting the history of a St. Paul (Minn.) printing and
publishing company, which specialized in agricultural publications.
Records include correspondence, legal records (1976, 1984-1987), brochures,
photographs, slides, poetry (1955-1960), press releases, bibliographies, booklets,
magazine articles, newspaper clippings, and printed matter.
The records reflect the Webb Company's history from its founding by Edward A. Webb in
1882 through its sale to a British printing firm in 1986. A large portion of the
collection is related to the history, management, and content of the firm's primary
publication, "The Farmer" magazine.
Return to top
These documents are organized into the following sections:
| | |
| | The Webb Company. |
| | The Farmer. |
Return to top
Availability:
The collection is open for research use.
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Webb
Company Records. Minnesota Historical Society.
See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional
examples
Accession Information:
Accession numbers: 15,010; 15,623; 15,782
Processing Information:
Processed by: Frank Hennessy, March 1995; Additional material cataloged by: Lara
Friedman-Shedlov, September 2001
Catalog ID number: 990017313940104294
This collection was formerly cataloged as P2056.
Return to top
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Includes biographical data related to Edward A. Webb; summaries of a series
of orientation sessions describing the operation of the firm's various
departments, entitled "The ABC's of Webb Publishing"; a group of papers
related to the activities and history of the Agricultural Publishers
Association; two newsletters covering topics of interest to Webb employees;
and correspondence, photographs, a narrative history, and printed matter
related to activities surrounding Webb's 1982 centennial celebration.
There is a group of correspondence and legal records related to two legal
disputes involving the company: the first resulting from an article
published in The Farmer (Oct. 6, 1984) that
identified Wallace C. Kemper as a defendant in an Illinois loan fraud case,
the second involving a defamation claim brought against Webb by Alexander
Gaus, Jr. (1984-1987).
Also included in the collection is an extensive series of correspondence
(1942-1947) between Theodor Broch, a Norwegian writer and former mayor of
the Norwegian town of Narvik, and Paul Hillestad, who was manager of Webb at
the time. The correspondence concerned publication of Broch's book, The Mountains Wait, an eyewitness account of the
Nazi invasion and occupation of northern Norway during World War II. There
is also correspondence (1942-1945) between Hillestad and Rockwell Kent, the
illustrator of the book.
Other papers include photographs of the Webb Publishing Company's home
office, press, and bindery (1920s-1940s?) and newspaper clippings and
articles pertaining to Robert Maxwell, the chairman of British Printing
& Communications Corp., and the sale of the Webb Company in 1986.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Location | Box |
152.C.19.4F | 1 | ABCs of Webb Publishing Sessions, 1981. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | The Ambassador magazine, July/August 1968. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Agricultural Publishers Association, 1965-1981. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | British Printing & Communications Corp. and Robert Maxwell, 1984-1986. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Centennial Celebration: |
| | | The Farmer: Centennial issue, 1981-1982. |
| | | St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce recognition dinner, June 23,
1982. |
| | | The First 100 Years (book), [1982?]. |
| | | Open house, August 25-26,
1982. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Harmon, Reuel D., President, 1952-1968. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | History: Miscellaneous articles, corporate profile, and
correspondence, 1954-1983. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Theodor Broch: Correspondence regarding publication of The Mountains Wait, 1942-1947. 2 folders. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Rockwell Kent: Correspondence regarding illustrations for The Mountains Wait, 1942-1945. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Investment community presentations, 1976, 1980. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Lawsuits: |
| | | Arab Overseas Bank & Trust, 1984-1985. |
| | | Gaus vs. The Webb Company, 1984-1987. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Minutes of Webb meeting, January 1965-July 1970. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Newsletters: |
| | | Inside Stuff, 1950-1962. |
| | | Webb Pepper, July 15, 1939. |
| | | What's Cooking At Webb,
1945-1946. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Office, press, and bindery: Photographs, undated. 2 folders. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Publishing design and style book, undated. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Sales reports, 1920-1950. 3 folders. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Webb, Edward A.: Biographical data, interview transcript, and
audio tape. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Webb, Mrs. Edward A.: Bird fountain memorial (Oakland Cemetery,
St. Paul), 1980. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Location | Box |
146.K.16.3B | 3 | Payroll book, 1932, 1947-1950. 1 volume. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Webb Company headquarters photograph, undated. Mounted b/w print. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Panoramic photographs of Webb Company annual picnics, 1926, 1927. 2 rolled b/w panoramic prints. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Webb Company wooden ruler. |
Return to top
Includes histories of The Farmer, The Farmer's Wife, and The
Dakota Farmer; a copy of a study conducted by Butler Typo-Design
Research Center and correspondence associated with a new format for the
magazine (1961-1965); and articles, correspondence, floor plans, slides, and
photographs related to the magazine's "Country Kitchen" which was used by
the household department for testing recipes and demonstrating kitchen
planning and decoration ideas. There is also a group of correspondence and
newspaper clippings related to The Farmer Protective Association, a plan
administered by the magazine which offered a $25.00 reward for recovery of
members' stolen property, a poultry marking system, and an "action line"
that functioned as a consumer protection service for members.
Other papers include staff biographies; press releases; photographs; a list
of articles published by the magazine's household department; a card index
of books found in the magazine's library; a booklet entitled Facts for
Advertisers, which contains a classified list of the magazine's advertisers;
correspondence describing the Lawton Seed Corn Tester, which was given as a
premium with subscriptions in the late 1920s and early 1930s; and
correspondence related to the magazine's trademark registration (1976).
There is material related to articles published in the magazine, including
poetry from a column edited by Eloise Wade Hackett entitled "Songs From the
Spring" (1955-1960); photocopies of articles from the magazine's
agricultural careers series (1971-1973); and a group of correspondence and
articles related to the potential of Jerusalem artichokes as an alcohol fuel
source and the investigation of fraud allegedly being committed by AEFS
Inc., an artichoke processor (1983). Background material on corn husking
contests (1934-1987), combine development, and the "Farmfest" in Lake
Crystal, Minnesota (1972, 1976) is also included.
The magazine's photograph file is arranged by topic and largely undated,
however the bulk appear to have been taken during the first half of the
twentieth century. Topics include early farming, farm machinery, livestock,
and the Minnesota State Fair.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Location | Box |
152.C.19.4F | 1 | "A Book of Revelation": History of The Farmer, 1911. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | American Energy Farming Systems (AEFS): Jerusalem artichokes
article, 1983. 2 folders. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | "Buffalo Bird Woman": Her Own Life Story, 1916,
1970-1972. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Butler Typo-Design Research Center: Clinical study and format
change, 1961-1965. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Careers In Agriculture series, 1971-1973. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Location | Box |
152.C.19.5B | 2 | Combine development, 1979. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Corn husking contests, 1934-1987. 2 folders. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Country Kitchen, 1934-1985. 2 folders. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | The Dakota Farmer: |
| | | History, 1906, 1980,
1990. |
| | | Merger with The Farmer,
1978-1980. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Facts for Advertisers, [1900?]. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | The Farmer "Field Worker" book, 1929. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | The Farmer Protective Association, 1971-1986. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | The Farmer's Wife, 1971-1992. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | The Farmer's Wife: the Lucky Pony Winners,
1915. 1 volume. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | The Farmer's Wife correspondence, 1933, 1939-1942. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Farmfest, 1972,
1976. 2 folders. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | History: |
| | | Miscellaneous articles, correspondence, and related papers, undated and
1903, 1956-1992. |
| | | The Farmer's History: Related
by F. J. Clark. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | "Is There a Santa Claus?" |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Lawton seed corn tester, 1981-1989. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Mail study of Midwest farm families, 1948. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Personnel, 1923-1985. 2 folders. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Photograph File: |
| | | Buffalo. |
| | | Creamery: Pelican Rapids, Minn. |
| | | Early farming. |
| | | Extra profit corn contest, 1955-1965. |
| | | Horses. |
| | | Indians. |
| | | Machinery. 2 folders. |
| | | Marketing. |
| | | Minnesota State Fair, 1950s-1970s. 2 folders. |
| | | Minnesota statehood centennial, 1958. |
| | | Minnesota territorial centennial issue, April 2,
1949. |
| | | Miscellaneous. |
| | | Plowing. |
| | | Poultry. |
| | | Replica of Cyrus McCormick's reaper, 1976. |
| | | Sheep. |
| | | South Dakota State Fair, 1984. |
| | | Steam Jamboree, 1966-1967. |
| | | Webb, Edward A.: Trip to Enderlin and Lisbon, N.D., 1955. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | "Songs From the Fields," 1955-1960. |
Return to top
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the
Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics,
persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
- Topics:
- Printing industry -- Minnesota -- Saint
Paul.
- Publishers and publishing -- Minnesota -- Saint
Paul.
- Agriculture publishing -- Minnesota -- Saint
Paul.
- Magazine design.
- Agriculture -- Periodicals.
- Agriculture -- Vocational guidance.
- Agricultural machinery -- Photographs.
- Livestock -- Photographs.
- Kitchens -- Designs and plans.
- Corn -- Husking -- Competitions --
Minnesota.
- Jerusalem artichoke -- Minnesota.
- Renewable energy sources -- Minnesota.
- Periodicals -- Publishing -- Minnesota -- Saint
Paul.
- Persons:
- Broch, Theodor, 1904-.
- Gaus, Alexander.
- Hackett, Eloise Wade.
- Kemper, Wallace C.
- Kent, Rockwell, 1882-1971.
- Maxwell, Robert, 1923-.
- Webb, E. A. (Edward A.),
1857-1915.
- Organizations:
- Agricultural Publishers Association
(Chicago, Ill.).
- American Energy Farming Systems.
- British Printing and Communications
Corp. (London, England).
- Butler Typo-Design Research Center
(Mendota, Ill.).
- Farmer Protective Association (Saint
Paul, Minn.).
- Minnesota State Fair -- Photograph
collections.
- Places:
- Saint Paul (Minn.) -- Industries
- Document Types:
- Poetry.
- Photographs.
- Titles:
- Farmer (Saint Paul, Minn.).
- Farmer's wife (Saint Paul, Minn.).
- Dakota farmer (Aberdeen, S.D.).
Return to top