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Matthew J. Lynch collection of Atlas Chemical Industries, Inc. pictorial envelopes

Creation: 1957-1986
 Collection
Accession: 2025-201

Abstract

Atlas Chemical Industries, Inc. was a chemical company based in Wilmington, Delaware. This small collection consists of pictorial envelopes produced by Atlas Chemical Industries, Inc., along with promotional inserts, that were collected by Atlas research pharmacist Matthew J. Lynch from 1963 to 1986. Atlas Chemical used these envelopes for promotional mailings to industry professionals; their illustrations complement special edition postage stamps, issued and postmarked on their first day of circulation. They depict a range of topics, including landmark anniversaries, commemorations, famous people, notable events, elements of nature, and aspects of American life.

Dates

  • Creation: 1957-1986

Creator

Extent

.5 Linear Feet

Physical Description

Removed from binders for preservation purposes; binders not retained.

Historical Note

Atlas Chemical Industries, Inc. was a chemical company based in Wilmington, Delaware. The company was originally founded in 1912 as Atlas Powder Company as part of the court-ordered breakup of the explosives monopoly of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company. As part of the settlement, parts of DuPont's black powder and dynamite business were spun off to two new companies, the Hercules Powder Company, capitalized at $13 million, and the Atlas Powder Company, capitalized at $6 million. Atlas began diversifying from explosives into other chemical lines beginning in 1917, eventually changing its name to Atlas Chemical Industries, Inc. in 1961. In 1971, it was acquired by Imperial Chemical Industries, changing its name to ICI America in 1972, ICI United States in 1974, and ICI Americas in 1977. The pharmaceuticals portion of the business later became AstraZeneca LP, which has its headquarters in the former Atlas facilities in the Wilmington suburbs.

Biographical Note

Matthew J. Lynch (1922-2016) was a research pharmacist who spent much of his career at Atlas Chemical Industries, Inc. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Lynch earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Rhode Island and became a registered pharmacist before serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He began his career in 1950 at Abbott Laboratories in Chicago, Illinois, before joining Atlas Chemical in 1961, where he worked in the Product Development Technical Center. He remained with the company until 1986. Over the course of his career, he worked on a wide spectrum of pharmaceuticals that included sulfa drugs, antihistamines, anesthetics, estrogens, antibiotics, and artificial sweeteners. These led to the development of Erythromycin, Selsun shampoo, Mylanta, Trident gum, and various gel toothpastes. Lang was granted more than 100 U.S. and foreign patents, published numerous scientific papers, and authored several reference textbook chapters.

He married Genevieve Irene McWeeney Lynch (1924-2016) in 1950; the couple had four children.

Scope and Contents

This small collection consists of pictorial envelopes produced by Atlas Chemical Industries, Inc., along with promotional inserts, that Atlas employee Matthew J. Lynch collected between 1963 and 1986.

Pictorial envelopes are envelopes that feature an illustration, often engraved, on the front, generally on the left side to leave adequate room for the address, stamp, and postmark. They were often used for advertisements, but were also popular during the Civil War to express patriotic sentiment. Atlas Chemical used these envelopes for promotional mailings to industry professionals; some of the inserts promote Atlas products such as sorbitol (a sugar alcohol) and chewable tablets. The illustrations complement special edition postage stamps, issued and postmarked on their first day of circulation. Called "first-day covers," such stamps are considered desirable by stamp collectors. Some inserts explain the significance of the first-day cover and the occasion or topic the stamp represents. The postmarks relate to the subjects of the stamps and illustrations. For example, an envelope commemorating the Battle of Appomattox is postmarked in Appomattox, Virginia, while an envelope for Christmas is postmarked in Silver Bells, Arizona. The illustrations depict a range of topics, including landmark anniversaries, commemorations, famous people, notable events, elements of nature, and aspects of American life. They were printed by the Artcraft Lithograph and Printing Co., Inc., a printing business based in New York City that catered to the New York theater world and produced theater posters. Artcraft also printed greeting cards for the American Artists Group. Both companies were founded and owned by Samuel Golden (1895-1963).

The collection is arranged in chronological order by postmark. One additional envelope not produced by Atlas Chemical, featuring a British stamp and postmark, is also included.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.

Related Materials

Civil War pictorial envelopes (Accession 1969.064), Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library.

American Artists Group records (Accession 2768), Manuscripts and Archives Department, Hagley Museum and Library.

Language of Materials

English

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Matthew J. Lynch collection of Atlas Chemical Industries, Inc. pictorial envelopes
Author:
Diane E. Bockrath
Date:
2025
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Audiovisual Collections Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400