Joh. Enschedé

Joh. Enschedé
Name	Joh. Enschedé
Native name	Koninklijke Joh. Enschedé
Industry	Printing, Security Printing, Philately
Founded	1703
Founder	Izaak Enschedé
Headquarters	Haarlem, Netherlands
Products	Banknotes, Security documents, Stamps, Typefounding, Newspapers

Joh. Enschedé is a historic Dutch printing company founded in 1703 that became prominent for typefounding, newspaper printing, philatelic production, and security printing. Over three centuries the firm developed links with European monarchies, central banks, museums, and cultural institutions, contributing to projects involving Rijksmuseum, Royal Dutch Mint, De Telegraaf, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, and multiple national postal administrations. Its longevity connects to developments in Dutch Republic, Batavian Republic, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Industrial Revolution, and modern financial systems.

History

Founded by Izaak Enschedé in Haarlem in 1703, the company initially engaged in typefounding and book printing, operating within the commercial networks of the Dutch East India Company, Dutch West India Company, and provincial publishers. In the 18th century Enschedé supplied type and printed works to institutions such as the City of Haarlem, University of Leiden, and private printers linked to the Enlightenment and Dutch intellectual circles. The 19th century saw expansion under descendants into newspaper printing, notably producing titles associated with the press landscape including Opregte Haarlemsche Courant and providing material to newspapers like Algemeen Handelsblad and NRC Handelsblad. During the 20th century Enschedé moved into security printing and banknote production, contracting with central banks including the De Nederlandsche Bank and international clients such as the Bank of England, Belgian National Bank, and various colonial administrations during the late Dutch Empire period. Corporate continuity survived wartime occupation and postwar restructuring, aligning with cultural institutions like the Teylers Museum and the Rijksmuseum through conservation of historic type collections and printing archives.

Products and Services

The firm produced a wide array of printed matter: newspapers, books, catalogues for institutions like the Mauritshuis, official gazettes for municipal bodies such as City of Amsterdam, and philatelic products for postal administrations including the Royal Dutch Postage Stamps. Enschedé’s security products included banknotes for the Kingdom of the Netherlands and international central banks, passports and identity documents for national authorities such as the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, and secured certificates for financial institutions such as ABN AMRO and ING Group. Beyond security, products extended to commercial printing for corporations like Philips, cultural editions for publishers including Brill, and luxury printings for collectors working with museums like the Hermitage Amsterdam.

Printing Techniques and Technology

Starting with handcasting and manual typefounding influenced by techniques from Aldus Manutius and Pierre-Simon Fournier, Enschedé developed expertise in punchcutting, matrix production, and foundry type manufacturing used by Johannes Gutenberg movement followers. The company adopted lithography, intaglio, and letterpress processes in the 19th century, later integrating offset printing technologies adopted by printers such as Robert Barclay and industrial presses from Heidelberg. In the 20th century Enschedé incorporated gravure, phototypesetting, and security features like microprinting, watermarks, and intaglio engraving linked to crafts exemplified by artists associated with Royal Academy of Art, The Hague and the École des Beaux-Arts. For banknotes the firm employed banknote design methods similar to those used by firms like De La Rue and Giesecke+Devrient, integrating anti-counterfeiting technologies used by central banks and standards bodies such as the European Central Bank and International Organization for Standardization.

Notable Projects and Commissions

Noteworthy commissions include production of banknotes for De Nederlandsche Bank, postage stamps for the Dutch Post Office and commemorative issues for institutions such as the Rijksmuseum, special editions for the House of Orange-Nassau, and limited runs for celebrations like the 200th anniversary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The firm printed diplomas and certificates for universities including Leiden University and produced catalogues and exhibition materials for museums such as the Teylers Museum and Museum Boerhaave. Internationally, Enschedé executed banknote contracts for the Central Bank of Suriname, colonial-era issues for administrations in the Dutch East Indies, and security printing for governments in Europe and beyond in collaboration with entities like INTERPOL and national ministries.

Corporate Structure and Ownership

Originally a family-owned enterprise run by successive generations of the Enschedé family, governance evolved through partnerships, limited companies and royal recognition as a company with ties to the House of Orange-Nassau. Ownership models shifted to accommodate corporate modernization, involving supervisory boards and executive management aligning with Dutch corporate law under frameworks influenced by institutions such as the Dutch Chamber of Commerce and regulations from the Ministry of Finance. The company engaged in mergers, joint ventures, and strategic alliances with security printing peers including De La Rue and technology providers like Orell Füssli to address global banknote and security markets. Royal warrants and patronage tied Enschedé to state and royal commissions.

Brand and Cultural Impact

The firm’s brand carries heritage associations with craftsmanship, bibliophilia, and national symbolism reflected in collaborations with cultural institutions such as the Rijksmuseum, Mauritshuis, and publishing houses like Elsevier. Enschedé’s typefoundry legacy influenced typographers and graphic designers connected to schools such as the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague and movements including Dutch Design and European Arts and Crafts Movement. Collectors and philatelists value Enschedé-printed stamps and banknotes, which appear in holdings of institutions like the British Museum, Smithsonian Institution, and national numismatic collections. The company’s archives and type collections have been subjects of study by scholars at Leiden University and University of Amsterdam and featured in exhibitions celebrating printing history.

Category:Printing companies of the Netherlands