Wolff Hagelberg
Wolff Hagelberg, one of Europe’s leading Fine Art Publishers 1860-1890s. Manufacturing and printing works at 19-21 Marien-Strasse, Berlin.
Warehouse in London from 1885 at 12 London Wall and in New York from 1889 (36 and 38 East 12th Street).
Trade mark WH or WH in shield, mostly seen on scrap sheets, otherwise W. Hagleberg printed on the card.
S. Hildesheimer invited him to share judging their 1881 prize competition:
“We were fortunately enabled to obtain the valuable services of W. Hagelberg of Berlin, a gentleman of great experience, and occupying a foremost position amongst Fine Art Printers to assist in the selection of the designs, thereby securing not only the highest artistic but the best practical judgement for this important trust”.
“The season’s joy I send, may mirth upon you wait;
This card some fun may lend - eight mashers up to date.
Take notice of their style, their glasses, collars deep;
And though they raise a smile, they’re only silly sheep.”
Most of the poetic sentiments on the cards were written by E. E. Griffin or M. S. Haycraft sometimes abbreviated to EEG and MSH.