Who's Chicago WaterMark Company?
Chicago Water Mark Company is related to the 109 year old Chicago
Printing & Embossing Company. In 1902, E.T. Koch established
Chicago Printing & Embossing Co. in an area called Printer's Row in
Chicago (See Telephone Directory, 1902). He specialized in high-quality
commercial and job printing. One of his first customers was Marshall
Field & Company, at the time the pre-eminent store for the carriage
trade. Mr. Koch's job was to print the personalized stationery and
invitations for Marshall Field's customers. Society had very formal rules
for gatherings and printed Invitations were de-rigueur, No self-respecting
society lady (or gentleman, for that matter) would be without personal
stationery as well. (Go to samples of early printing.) The quality standards
were impeccable for Mr. Marshall Field, and Chicago Printing &
Embossing Company rose to the occasion. Some years later, Mr. Koch
retired and the business passed to Mr. Frank F. Bosworth, his partner. In
the early 30's the business changed hands again, this time to Mr. Leroy
Durbin, an employee of the firm. He continued to cater to the high society
crowd and Marshall Field continued to use him as his printer of choice. In
1963, a 21 year old former "printer's devil" from the south side of
Chicago bought the company.
Don Brunke began his career in printing at the age of 12 when his sister
gave him a toy printing press for his birthday. For some time he'd been
hanging out after school at a local print shop. Coming home smeared
with ink all he talked about was Printing. Once he got his birthday present
there was no stopping him. From badgering neighborhood merchants for
printing orders to publishing the Boy Scout Troop newspaper and then
buying and setting up his first "real" printing press in the backyard shed,
to finally purchasing his first printing company, Don was hooked.
In 1968, the Southern California weather called out, and Don moved his
business to the West Coast. For the next 33 years, Chicago Printing &
Embossing Co. became a familiar name in the Los Angeles area for
excellence and quality.
In 1998, a new process for Watermarking small quantities of paper
became available, and Don jumped on the bandwagon. Utilizing his
printing experience, he quickly introduced Affordable Custom
Watermarking to California.
On March 1, 2002, Don enabled his long time employees to buy the
company and he went on to create the Chicago WaterMark Company.
Following E.T. Koch's philosophy of producing only the finest products,
Don continues to carry on a tradition that began more than 100 years ago.
Don has been active in his Church from an early age. He sang in the
choir (until his voice changed), and served as an assistant to the ministry.
He continues to participate by serving as an advisor and fund-raiser.
He is an Eagle Scout and holds the highest Scouting award for Religious
Service to his Church. He formed his Church's Boy Scout Troop and
served as Scoutmaster for many years.
Don is widowed with a daughter serving her country in the war against
terrorism.
By offering this Christian stationery, Don is carrying on a family tradition
of helping to spread the Word of God in whatever way he can.
Chicago Water Mark Company is related to the 109 year old Chicago
Printing & Embossing Company. In 1902, E.T. Koch established
Chicago Printing & Embossing Co. in an area called Printer's Row in
Chicago (See Telephone Directory, 1902). He specialized in high-quality
commercial and job printing. One of his first customers was Marshall
Field & Company, at the time the pre-eminent store for the carriage
trade. Mr. Koch's job was to print the personalized stationery and
invitations for Marshall Field's customers. Society had very formal rules
for gatherings and printed Invitations were de-rigueur, No self-respecting
society lady (or gentleman, for that matter) would be without personal
stationery as well. (Go to samples of early printing.) The quality standards
were impeccable for Mr. Marshall Field, and Chicago Printing &
Embossing Company rose to the occasion. Some years later, Mr. Koch
retired and the business passed to Mr. Frank F. Bosworth, his partner. In
the early 30's the business changed hands again, this time to Mr. Leroy
Durbin, an employee of the firm. He continued to cater to the high society
crowd and Marshall Field continued to use him as his printer of choice. In
1963, a 21 year old former "printer's devil" from the south side of
Chicago bought the company.
Don Brunke began his career in printing at the age of 12 when his sister
gave him a toy printing press for his birthday. For some time he'd been
hanging out after school at a local print shop. Coming home smeared
with ink all he talked about was Printing. Once he got his birthday present
there was no stopping him. From badgering neighborhood merchants for
printing orders to publishing the Boy Scout Troop newspaper and then
buying and setting up his first "real" printing press in the backyard shed,
to finally purchasing his first printing company, Don was hooked.
In 1968, the Southern California weather called out, and Don moved his
business to the West Coast. For the next 33 years, Chicago Printing &
Embossing Co. became a familiar name in the Los Angeles area for
excellence and quality.
In 1998, a new process for Watermarking small quantities of paper
became available, and Don jumped on the bandwagon. Utilizing his
printing experience, he quickly introduced Affordable Custom
Watermarking to California.
On March 1, 2002, Don enabled his long time employees to buy the
company and he went on to create the Chicago WaterMark Company.
Following E.T. Koch's philosophy of producing only the finest products,
Don continues to carry on a tradition that began more than 100 years ago.
Don has been active in his Church from an early age. He sang in the
choir (until his voice changed), and served as an assistant to the ministry.
He continues to participate by serving as an advisor and fund-raiser.
He is an Eagle Scout and holds the highest Scouting award for Religious
Service to his Church. He formed his Church's Boy Scout Troop and
served as Scoutmaster for many years.
Don is widowed with a daughter serving her country in the war against
terrorism.
By offering this Christian stationery, Don is carrying on a family tradition
of helping to spread the Word of God in whatever way he can.
Christian Stationery
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