Reliance State Bank - Calvin Coolidge Portrait - 1920's dated Salesman Sample Calendar - Americana

Portrait of President Calvin Coolidge by Underwood & Underwood. Madison and Ogden, Wisconsin. Large size measures 9 1/2" x 16 1/2".

Founded in 1881 by brothers Bert and Elmer Underwood in Ottawa, Kansas, Underwood & Underwood initially operated as a door-to-door sales venture for stereographs. These double-image cards, when viewed through a stereoscope, created a captivating 3D effect and quickly became a popular sensation during the Victorian era. By the late 19th century, the brothers relocated their headquarters to New York City and embarked on an international expansion, eventually producing millions of stereograph views annually. Their remarkable success was attributed to an innovative distribution model and an extensive library of images that allowed individuals to virtually “travel” the world from the comfort of their living rooms.

As the popularity of stereographs waned in the early 20th century, the firm adeptly transitioned into news photography and commercial illustration. They emerged as pioneers in photojournalism, leveraging a global network of photographers to cover significant events such as the Spanish-American War and World War I. At its zenith, the company stood as the largest photographic agency globally, amassing an impressive collection of over two million negatives. Although the business eventually split and declined after the mid-1940s, their enduring archival legacy continues to serve as a valuable resource for historical research and the development of early documentary photography.