McLoughlin Brothers

McLoughlin Bros. Also produced board games, puzzles, and paper toys.

It is associated with United States. The record gives 1858 as its date of establishment or first appearance. Activity is recorded as ending in 1951. Its recorded seat is New York City. Recorded products are picture book, board game and puzzle.

• Name — McLoughlin Brothers • Fate — Acquired by Milton Bradley in; became a division of it • Type — Division (1920–1951) • Industry — * Publishing • Game • Founder — * John McLoughlin, Jr. • Edmund McLoughlin • Successor — * Julius Kushner (toys) • Grosset & Dunlap (books) • Hq Location City — New York City, New York • Hq Location Country — U.S. • Products — * Picture books • Board games • Puzzles • Paper toys • Num Employees — 75 • Num Employees Year — 1870s • Parent — Milton Bradley (1920–1951)

• Illustration — McLoughlin Brothers typewriter, 1884 The artistic and commercial roots of the McLoughlin firm were first developed by John McLoughlin, Jr. (1827–1905) who made his younger brother Edmund McLoughlin (1833 or 4 –1889) a partner in 1855. By 1886, the firm published a wide range of items, including cheap chapbooks, large folio picture books, linen books, puzzles, games, paper soldiers and paper dolls. In 1884, its typewriter appeared, which sold for $10. • Illustration — In this artwork for Teddy the Bear by Sarah Noble Ives, printer's notes regarding ink colors can be seen in the top left. Many of the earliest and most-valuable board games in America were produced by McLoughlin Brothers of New York. In 1920, the corporation was sold to Milton Bradley & Company. McLoughlin ceased game production at this time, but continued publishing its picture books. Milton Bradley itself was purchased by Hasbro in 1984 and merged with Parker Brothers in 1998 to form Hasbro Games. The two became brands of Hasbro until 2009 when they were retired in favor of the Hasbro name. The company worked with numerous artists of the time, including Sarah Noble Ives, William Bruton, Edward P. Cogger, Enos Comstock, Frances Bassett Comstock, Georgina A. Davis, Henry Walker Herrick, Justin H. Howard, May Audubon Post, Victor Renwick, Ida Waugh, and Lois Williams. These artists created richly colored watercolors as well as pen-and-ink drawings, which were adapted to the printing processes for mass production. John McLoughlin, Jr.'s death in 1905 caused the firm the loss of his artistic and commercial leadership, so in 1920, it was sold to the Milton Bradley Company. Following that, the Brooklyn factory was closed and the firm moved to Springfield, Massachusetts. During its time as a division of Milton Bradley, McLoughlin ceased game production although it continued publicating picture books. McLoughlin Bros. enjoyed some success in the 1930s with mechanical paper toys called "Jolly Jump-Ups" but it stopped production during World War II. In 1951, the "McLoughlin Brothers" trademark was sold to New York toy manufacturer Julius Kushner. At that time, their collection of original artwork for publication was split between members of the board. A portion of that collection was later donated to the American Antiquarian Society. In 1954, McLoughlin Brothers books were sold to Grosset & Dunlap. Kushner released some McLoughlin's successful products such as the Jolly Jump-Ups. On the other hand, the McLoughlin line of children's books was sold to Grosset & Dunlap in June 1954. Several books bearing the 'McLoughlin Bros.' imprint were issued until the 1970s when the name dropped out of print.