Friday, September 13, 2013
I almost missed the embossed “Dando Phila” on a bottom corner of the back. Curious, I did a little research. After reading what I found, it is obvious why he was chosen to publish Mr.s Fox’s pamphlets.
Thomas S. Dando, printer, lithographer, publisher, and businessman was born on January 21, 1856 in Newark, New Jersey. Son of Joseph Clifford Dando, a Pennsylvania-born oil merchant and bookkeeper, Dando attended Friends schools in Philadelphia, and by the age of eighteen was employed as a printer at 307 Walnut Street. Some of his earliest works were maps distributed by general agents Peter Wright & Sons, also located at the Walnut Street address. In the late 1870s, he copartnered with Henry B. Davis to operate Thomas S. Dando & Co., and continued to produce catalogs, annual reports, pamphlets, and maps in addition to lithographed trade cards and advertisements from this location until 1885. Thomas resided with his parents and siblings at 1306 Master Street (Ward 20) during this period of his career.
On January 1, 1886, Dando Printing and Publishing Co. succeeded Thomas S. Dando & Co. in the building formerly occupied by Drexel & Co. at 34 South Third Street. . . . . Thomas managed the "Public Ledger' (600 Chestnut Street) and co-founded "The Sporting Life Publishing Company" (also located at 34 South Third Street). Thomas was a member the Union League, the Keystone Shooting League and the Riverton Gun Club.
