Art Work of Memphis -1926  

         ... A portfolio of 9 photo books about the city   



This "Art Work of Memphis" was published in 1926 by the Gravure Illustration Company of Chicago.  They published collections of photographs for many major cities across the country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  The Memphis book is a portfolio of a set of nine bound books of photographic plates which were printed by photogravure.  This process resulted in velvety highlights and subdued shadows reminiscent of expensive platinum prints.  The photos in the books include private homes, churches, commercial and civic buildings, street scenes, and parks.  All nine books are posted below in their entirety. 

 

 

 

 

Hugh McVeigh

 

  Sincere thanks to Hugh R. McVeigh  for scanning his books and allowing us to post them   >

 

Hugh McVeigh found this rare book at a Flea Market at the Old Fairgrounds during the  1970s.  The price was $50.00, which was a lot of money to him.  He thought it over for two days and returned .   The book was still there but the dealer continued to hold firm on the price, so Hugh paid the $50.00.  The hand written notes inside the books were provided by a woman who had been in many of the pictured homes during open houses and parties.  Her descriptions of the locations are from her memory.    An earlier "Art Work of Memphis" was published by the Gravure Company in 1912 and that complete book is also posted on the Historic-Memphis website.  Some subjects are the same in both books, but the photos are different..

 
 

Click on the small photos below to see full screen of each page.  The Photos are quite large.  Please be patient while they load.

 
 
Book 1:  Art Work of Memphis   
 

Cover Title Page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
 
 

Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8
 
 

 

 

 

 

Notes
 

 

Book 2:  Art Work of Memphis    Click on the small photos to see full screen photos of each page.
 

Cover Title Page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
 
 

Page 4 Page 5 Page6 Page 7 Page 8
 
 
   
 

Notes

     
 


 
Book 3:  Art Work of Memphis    Click on the small photos to see full screen photos of each page.
 

Cover Title Page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
 
 

Duplicate

 of 5

Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8
 
 

 

 

 

 
Notes
 


 
Book 4:  Art Work of Memphis    Click on the small photos to see full screen photos of each page.
 

Cover Title Page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
 
 

Duplicate

 of 4

Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8
 
 
   

 

 
Notes
 

 
Book 5:  Art Work of Memphis    Click on the small photos to see full screen photos of each page.
 

Cover Title Page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
 
 

Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Notes
 


 
Book 6:  Art Work of Memphis    Click on the small photos to see full screen photos of each page.
 

Cover Title Page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
 
 

Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Notes
 
 


 
Book 7:  Art Work of Memphis    Click on the small photos to see full screen photos of each page.
 

Cover Title Page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
 
 

 
Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 -
 
 
 

 

 
Notes             
 


 
Book 8:  Art Work of Memphis    Click on the small photos to see full screen photos of each page.
 

Cover Title Page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
 
 

Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8
 
 

 

 

 

 
Notes
         


 
Book 9:  Art Work of Memphis    Click on the small photos to see full screen photos of each page.
 

Cover Title Page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
 
 

Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Notes
 
 


 
 
 
 
 

 Please visit the website that sponsors this page

Historic Memphis Website

 

 

Credits

 

The Historic-Memphis website does not intentionally post copyrighted photos and material without permission or credit.  On occasion a "non-credited" photo might possibly be posted because we were unable to find a name to give credit.  Because of the nature of our non-commercial, non-profit, educational website, we strongly believe that these photos would be considered "Fair Use.  We have certainly made no monetary gain, although those using this website for historic or Genealogy research have certainly profited.  If by chance, we have posted your copyrighted photo, please contact us, and we'll remove it immediately, or we'll add your credit if that's your choice.  In the past, we have found that many photographers volunteer to have their works included on these pages and we'll  also do that if you contact us with a photo that fits a particular page. 

 

The "Historic-Memphis" website would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their contributions which helped make this website possible:  Hugh McVeigh, Memphis Public Library, Memphis University Library, Memphis Law Library, Memphis Commercial Appeal, Memphis Press Scimitar, Shelby County Register of Deeds, Memphis City Schools, Memphis Business Men's Club, Memphis Chamber of Commerce, Memphis City Park Commission, Memphis Film Commision, Carnival Memphis, Memphis Historical Railroad Page, Memphis Heritage Inc, Beale Street Historic District, Cobblestone Historic District, Memphis Historic Districts, Vance Lauderdale Family Archives, Tennessee State Archives, Library of Congress, Kemmons Wilson Family, Richard S. Brashier, Lee Askew, George Whitworth, Woody Savage, and many individuals whose assistance is acknowledged on the pages of their contributions.  Special thanks to Memphis Realtor, Joe Spake, for giving us carte blanche access to his outstanding collection of contemporary Memphis photos.

We do not have high definition  copies of the photos on these pages.  If anyone wishes to secure high definition photos,  you'll have to contact the photographer  or the collector.  (To avoid any possibility of contributing to SPAM, we do not maintain a file of email addresses for anyone who contacts us).