STATIONERY WEDDING BUSINESS HOLIDAY EVENTS SYMPATHY SALE ABOUT US The history of Crane encompasses 250 years of experience and craftsmanship. Learn more about Crane, Crane heritage, and how it expanded worldwide. SHARE YOUR VOICE We believe everyone has a second voice. A voice only found on paper. It may take a moment to come to you, but what you say with it will never fade. Our aim has always been to help you reach beyond limitation and stir your senses in discovering and sharing this voice. By giving it color, shape, weight, and texture. By adding a formal or friendly accent, an inviting or insightful tone. By making it simple to say anything you wish, in a way that’s impossible for anyone to forget. People across the world choose Crane stationery to find their second voice; to express themselves authentically and memorably by putting pen to thoughtfully crafted paper. With each invitation you send or letter you write, you’ll see that our craftsmanship is second-to-none—because it’s been 250 years in the making. THE HISTORY OF CRANE When you reflect upon your past, it’s easy to see how individual moments aligned to lead you to where you are now. The same is true for the rich Crane heritage; from our very first customer to our modern-day worldwide presence, every moment in Crane’s storied history played a role in establishing our values, our craftsmanship, and the elegant, quality products you hold in your hands today. 1770: Entrepreneur Stephen Crane establishes the Crane paper business and purchases the Liberty Paper Mill. One of his early customers: Paul Revere, who uses the paper to print the American Colonies’ first paper money—the inaugural thread of Crane’s presence in the fabric of American life. 1779: Stephen Crane’s son, Zenas, opens a new mill location on the Housatonic River in Dalton, Massachusetts, forever ingraining Crane in the vibrant culture of the Berkshires. 1801: Zenas Crane formally establishes Crane & Co.—the beginning of the Crane you know today. Primarily a producer of banknote paper, Crane begins printing currency for local and regional banks and, ultimately, the U.S. government. Crane stands out for its innovative printing method that deters counterfeits. 1865: Zenas Crane, Jr., the son of Zenas Crane, aims to revitalize the Bay State Mill—a papermaking mill that had previously failed and stood idle. He travels to Europe to study the latest coloring and embossing techniques and uses that knowledge to equip the mill for upscale stationery production. A swift success, Crane becomes a marquee papermaker, supplying paper for luxury brands like Tiffany’s of New York, as well as invitations to historic events, such as the inauguration of The Statue of Liberty. With the arrival of the postal services and growing enthusiasm for paper correspondence, word of Crane’s craftsmanship and effortless elegance travels across the Atlantic and generates devotees across Europe. 1900s: Now a leader in social stationery, Crane shares its expertise and encourages proper correspondence by publishing the first of many books on stationery etiquette. American icons continue to choose Crane for their correspondence needs: The Golden Gate Bridge inauguration invitation, the Roosevelts’ Christmas cards, and sympathy acknowledgements from Jackie Kennedy are all printed on Crane stationery. 2000s: A staple worldwide, Crane stationery serves as the medium of choice for everything from The Queen Mother’s 100th birthday invitations to Jimmy Fallon’s weekly “Thank You Notes” segment. 2016: Separating from the currency division, Crane Stationery becomes a stand-alone business, committed to writing the next chapter in a long history of paper and innovation. 2018: Crane joins the Mohawk Fine Paper family. Like Crane, Mohawk was built on generations of fine papermakers and values beautiful and high-quality paper products. A well-matched partnership, the companies come together to become the preeminent team of paper craftsmen. TODAY: In 250 years, much has changed—but some things remain the same. Still headquartered in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, we embrace our role as an American maker. We honor our heritage in the quality and craftsmanship of our products, yet we look forward to the future, pursuing ever-expanding ways to help you share your second voice with those who mean the most to you. OUR PAPERS Crane’s high quality paper is made from cotton for premium softness and texture. LEARN MORE ETIQUETTE Etiquette rules have changed over the years, and today, etiquette looks different LEARN MORE CRAFTSMANSHIP Various printing techniques can add personality to your correspondence. LEARN MORE ACCOUNT My Account Shipping & Delivery Order Status COMPANY About Crane Printing Processes Papers Etiquette Post Script Blog Careers HELP Store Locator Crane Concierge Returns FAQs Accessibility CONNECT Email Facebook Instagram © 2021 Crane Stationery LET'S STAY IN TOUCH Be the first to know about special promotions, new collections and more when you sign up for our emails! Your Email SUBMIT