Milton Bradley: Lithographer

Milton Bradley, father of the North American board game, was a printmaker. Briefly mentioned in an article in Print (the design mag), this bit of trivia peaked my curiosity so I investigated further. Apparently, it’s true. Not only was he a printmaker, he “enjoyed a successful career in lithography.” Of course, Bradley was living in very different times; it probably wasn’t so uncommon to have a successful career in lithography. From history.com … Born in Vienna, Maine, in 1836, Bradley chose a career in printing and lithography in his late teens and set about learning the trade. In 1860, he set up Massachusetts’ first color lithography shop in Springfield. One of his lithographs, a likeness of Abraham Lincoln, sold especially well, until Lincoln grew a beard and rendered Bradley’s beardless image out-of-date.

According to Hasbro, the parent company of Milton Bradley…

One of the first lithographic works turned out by Milton Bradley was a portrait of Abraham Lincoln without his beard. Lincoln had just been nominated for the Presidency of the United States. The sale of this picture was extremely encouraging to the young printer until it was found that Lincoln had grown a beard. The sale of Bradley’s beardless lithograph dropped off drastically.

In seeking ways to keep his business afloat, Mr. Bradley began producing a game he had previously invented called, “The Checkered Game of Life.” His game was so successful, he sold as many as he could produce.

Moral of story: printmaking and the entrepreneurial spirit go hand in hand.

Alternate moral of story: one man’s beard is another man’s burden.