Originator of the Collection

Joseph S. Mertle, at the age of sixteen, was an apprentice photoengraver in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. As a means of educating himself in his craft he began collecting all available material concerning photomechanics. At the time, in 1915, there were few books on the subject. This was a practical endeavor for Mertle, as a means to increase his own skill and knowledge. Still, a passion for collection was awakened, and over the course of a long and distinguished career as a noted technician, author and trade journal columnist, Mertle continued building his library, expanding it as the literature in the field multiplied and enlarging its scope to encompass the history of photomechanics. Early in his career he realized that the detailed knowledge of all branches of the printing industry was too large an undertaking for any single individual, and therefore he specialized in photography and photomechanics.

Mertle was the author, assisted by Harry Keusch, of the book Photolithography & Offset Printing: A reference manual of modern procedure (Chicago: Graphic Arts Publishing Co., 1937). About this book, Mertle commented: "While not exactly elementary in character, every effort has been made to deal with the subject in simple language, omitting chemical and mathematical equations, which are always difficult of comprehension by the average workman." (Preface). Louis Flader and J.S. Mertle wrote a book titled Modern Photoengraving: A practical textbook on latest American procedures (Chicago: Modern Photoengraving Publishers, 1948) which received Official Recognition form the Fiftieth Annual Convention of the American Photoengravers Association, held in 1946. A unanimous resolution supported the writing of the textbook, in part because "In the absence of such a source of reliable information, our future craftsmen are compelled to acquire a working knowledge solely by observation and imitation, with but scant understanding of the basic scientific principles underlying the photoengraving processes. . . ." He also wrote, in collaboration with Gordon L. Monsen, a book titled Photomechanics and Printing (1957).

Mertle was Associate Editor of the Graphic Arts Monthly for many years; he served as Photomechanical Editor of the National Lithographer and Printing World, Historical Editor of PSA Journal and contributor to many other journals. He was a photomechanical consultant to the 3M Company from 1956 to 1958. His collection was originally with that company and was subsequently transferred to the University of Minnesota Libraries, where it is a distinguished part of Special Collections.

Copyright: © 1998 by the Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
URL: http://www.lib.umn.edu/special/rare/mertle/
Last updated: 02/13/98

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.