Collection of Vintage Photos from Chicago’s Elliott Paint & Varnish Comes Back to Town

Painting in Partnership’s reputation as a “custodian” of the painting industry’s past goes far and wide. A few weeks ago, we were contacted by a gentleman in Texas who had a collection of sixty three vintage photographs from an old-time Chicago paint company: Elliott Paint and Varnish Co., which was merged out of existence in the 1970s.

Upon agreeing on a price, Painting in Partnership became the owner of the photos and the collection came back to Chicago, its rightful place. Most of the photographs were taken by a famous Chicago studio called Apex Photographs Co. For instance, Apex took this photo from Lou Gehrig in the late 1920s.

Their work for Elliott Paint took place during the 1920-30s. They took shots of the exterior of the manufacturing facilities, loading docks, labs, offices, manufacturing process and warehousing. The collection gives a unique perspective on the different aspects of the paint manufacturing process during that time period. Three photos from the collection are attached for your viewing pleasure.

Elliott Paint and Varnish Co. was founded in 1897. It rapidly blossomed into a full line paint manufacturer. During the 1970s, it was acquired by Valspar, which had just moved

its headquarters from Rockford, Illinois to Minneapolis, following its merger of with Minnesota Paints, Inc. in 1970.

At Painting in Partnership, house painting contractors from the Chicago area, we believe that understanding our past as an industry is essential to empower our future. This is what moves us to collect and preserve painting memorabilia.