About Us
The Pinnacle of Dunellen's industrial might was reached when the huge Art Color Printing Company of New York built its plant and commenced operations in 1925, making Dunellen's principal industry the mass-production of romance and adventure. At its peak, the plant turned out over 10,000,000 copies of magazines a month. Among the more popular publications were True Romance, True Detective Mysteries, Modern Screen, and Modern Romances.
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In charge of this massive enterprise was Arnold A. Schwartz, president of Art Color. His rise and the development of his business comprise a fabulous success story typical of American industry. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, of American parents of Swiss descent, he came to America in 1888 at the age of 16. In this country he entered the printing trade and rose to the position of superintendent at the Schweinler Press, magazine printers. In 1907 he bought a controlling interest in the Art Color Printing Company, then located in New York.
By 1925 it had grown too large and unwieldy for New York and was moved to Dunellen. The shop unionized throughout, and the 1,100 employees had extensive social and athletic organizations such as bowling, tennis, baseball, and basketball teams, with facilities supplied by the management. Schwartz's beneficences extended beyond the walls of his factory: his annual gifts of food-baskets to more than 200 needy families during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons became an established custom over the years.
The fine library building on New Market Road is the cumulation of ninety-six years of effort to bring efficient library services to the Borough’s residents. It began in 1878 when an individual provided a reading room. Over the years the newspaper, the churches and schools had limited book lending facilities. The first library supported by the Borough was opened in 1911 in a rented store. From there it moved to many other locations in leased quarters and the Borough Hall until acquiring its own building in 1974.
In 1931, the W.F. Hall Printing Company of Chicago bought control of Art Color. Arnold Schwartz remained as president. He died in 1963 at the age of 91. W.F. Hall closed its Dunellen plant in 1968.
From 1922 until 1925, the Dunellen Public Library occupied the second floor of the first floor of the First National Bank at 322 North Avenue. In 1925, the library then moved to the second floor of the Municipal Building, where it remained until 1974. The survey recommended that a one-story building be constructed for the exclusive use of the Dunellen Public Library. On June 15, 1970, the Mayor and Council allocated a portion of the Art Color parking lot on New Market Road as a site for the proposed building.
The Arnold A. Schwartz Foundation made a grant of $60,000 to the building fund and the new building was named in memory of Mr. Arnold A. Schwartz.
Thus, the official name of the building is the Arnold A. Schwartz Memorial Library named in memory of the late head of the Art Color Printing Company, opened April 15, 1974.”
The Foundation continues its assistance to the library through annual gifts to purchase needed books, computers, and equipment.
Citations
Triolo, John, and Liz Marren-Licht. Dunellen. Arcadia Pub., 2012.
The History of Dunellen New Jersey 1887 - 1987.
Ott, Wesley H. 1 Mile x 1 Mile x 100 Years = Dunellen, NJ, 1887-1987. Pentacle Communications, 1987.
In 1931, the W.F. Hall Printing Company of Chicago bought control of Art Color. Arnold Schwartz remained as president. He died in 1963 at the age of 91. W.F. Hall closed its Dunellen plant in 1968.
From 1922 until 1925, the Dunellen Public Library occupied the second floor of the first floor of the First National Bank at 322 North Avenue. In 1925, the library then moved to the second floor of the Municipal Building, where it remained until 1974. The survey recommended that a one-story building be constructed for the exclusive use of the Dunellen Public Library. On June 15, 1970, the Mayor and Council allocated a portion of the Art Color parking lot on New Market Road as a site for the proposed building.
The Arnold A. Schwartz Foundation made a grant of $60,000 to the building fund and the new building was named in memory of Mr. Arnold A. Schwartz.
Thus, the official name of the building is the Arnold A. Schwartz Memorial Library named in memory of the late head of the Art Color Printing Company, opened April 15, 1974.”
The Foundation continues its assistance to the library through annual gifts to purchase needed books, computers, and equipment.
Citations
Triolo, John, and Liz Marren-Licht. Dunellen. Arcadia Pub., 2012.
The History of Dunellen New Jersey 1887 - 1987.
Ott, Wesley H. 1 Mile x 1 Mile x 100 Years = Dunellen, NJ, 1887-1987. Pentacle Communications, 1987.