Mar 11, 2010

C.R. Gibson Celebrates 140 Years of Memory Making and Preservation

Nashville, TN — C.R. Gibson, a leading manufacturer of fine gifts commemorating life’s celebrations, observes its own milestone this spring: 140 years of making and preserving memories throughout the generations. From simple beginnings as a printer of birth and marriage certificates, C.R. Gibson has grown into a memory book, social stationery and gifting powerhouse operating four unique brands under its umbrella: Markings® journals, photo books and stationery, Tapestry® scrapbooking and craft products, Creative Papers® fine stationery and iota® stationery and gifting essentials. C.R. Gibson products are available today at over 10,000 gift retailers in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom.

With millions of baby books sold and twenty-seven U.S. presidents in office since its inception, C.R. Gibson continues to build on the core values that have successfully guided the company over the years. Don French, president of C.R. Gibson, states, “Everyone on the C.R. Gibson team has a deep sense of pride in our heritage. The foundation of creative, innovative and quality product development laid by the Gibson family continues today. The company and its brands are constantly reinventing themselves to bring quality retailers and consumers the product solutions they need today and tomorrow.”

C.R. Gibson: A Story of Innovation and Acquisition
The Gibson family, originally from York, England, settled in the U.S. in 1850. Printing was the family business, so they brought with them a French handpress to jumpstart their new lives and business opportunities in America. The Gibson brothers (Robert, Stephen, George and Samuel) and a young, sixteen-year-old John Gibson launched two printing companies, respectively: one propelled by the outbreak of the Civil War in 1860, and the other by purchase in 1870. The latter, a company called the John Gibson Company, was to become today’s C.R. Gibson.

Some of John Gibson Company’s original retail products included letterheads and business forms, notes, drafts and receipts sold to stationers, plus marriage certificates and calendars.

After prospering separately for over thirty years, the John Gibson Company and the Gibson Art Company merged into one, forming C.R. Gibson & Company under the leadership of John Gibson’s nephew, Charles Gibson. A young innovator and apprentice to the family business, Charles had previously developed wedding and baby books from the elaborate wedding and baptismal certificates of the day. These fresh formats were transferred to the new company, increasing C.R. Gibson’s presence in the industry and firmly established it as an industry leader.

Throughout the early 20th century, C.R. Gibson & Company grew into an extended family of sorts. There were close family ties among the workforce, and all enjoyed the prosperity of the 1920’s—working hard, while also enjoying company outings and celebrations. However, it was Charles Gibson’s frugality and strong leadership that harbored his employees throughout the Great Depression.

By 1940, with rough waters behind them, the company had outgrown its New York dwelling so C.R. Gibson, comprised of thirty-some employees, relocated to larger facilities and a more measured pace of life in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Continuing to innovate and increase its range of products, C.R. Gibson began a strategic growth strategy by acquisition, starting in 1963 with the purchase of photo album manufacturer, W.C. Horn Brothers & Company. This pivotal maneuver allowed C.R. Gibson to successfully enter the gift book and photograph album market with two revolutionary products: the popular Unimount™ photo album featuring adhesive pages under acetate sheets, and the Univision™ photo album with acetate windows (or pockets) on each page. As a direct result, sales increased seven-fold in as many years for C.R. Gibson.

The 1979 purchase of the Creative Papers Stationery Company added new dimension to the company in fine stationery and boxed card categories.

C.R. Gibson itself was acquired in 2007 by CSS Industries, Inc. (NYSE: CSS). Since that transition, another brand caught C.R. Gibson’s eye: the company acquired Basalt, Colorado-based iota stationery and gifting essentials in May 2008. The niche, trend-forward design firm is known for its bold, original patterns, which are applied to a variety of stationery, gift and licensed products.

A Well-Designed Future
As C.R. Gibson enters its 141st year of business, it draws on the strengths of its previous success: a steadfast commitment to quality and a priority on fresh, trend-forward design. In addition to C.R. Gibson creating its own designs, some of the most sought after consumer brands have partnered with C.R. Gibson over the years. Moving forward, C.R. Gibson remains focused on a strong licensing and product development program, working with today’s hottest properties: Lolita, Jim Shore and Anna Griffin, to name a few. Design is, and has always been, the catalyst for the company’s growth and will most certainly continue to be just that—for at least the next 140 years.

To find out more about the C.R. Gibson brand and family of products, visit crgibsondealer.com or call 800.243.6004. C.R. Gibson will be exhibiting at the National Stationery Show, May 16-19, 2010 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York.

C.R. Gibson-branded products are available at more than 10,000 gift retailer. Founded in 1870 by British lithographer John Gibson, C.R. Gibson (www.crgibson.com) is a leading designer, marketer and manufacturer of memory books, social books, stationery, photo albums, and other gift items that commemorate life’s celebrations.