In the late 19th century, The Toronto Lithographing Co. Limited was known as Canada’s largest and most advanced litho company. It was active from 1878 until 1909, when the company changed its name to Stone Ltd., after the president, William Stone. The company moved to its premises in Toronto to 461 King West, at the corner of Bathurst & King Streets, around 1899, (with premises spanning 450—467 King Street West by 1903).

The company offered in-house design, lithographing, engraving, and electrotyping services, printed a variety of books, maps, posters, and other material, and began printing postcards about 1898.

Toronto Litho's leading Toronto rival was Rolph, Smith and Co., which merged with Stone Ltd. to form Rolph-Clark-Stone in 1917.

Some of the collections of Toronto Litho Co.’s cards are shown below. Click on an image to go to more of that series.

According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, “Prominent Toronto Litho Co employees included W.D. Blatchly, Henri Julien, J.D. Kelly, C.W. Jeffreys and William Bengough—younger brother of the brilliant political caricaturist J.W. Bengough—who founded the satirical periodical Grip in 1872.” Several of the Grip’s staff later went on to form the Group of Seven.

After extensive research into the last patriotic series of the company's cards, Roger Miller uncovered that Toronto Litho published these cards for distribution by W. J. Gage & Company, whose premises were wiped out in April of 1904 during the Great Fire of Toronto. While still occupying Victoria Rink as a temporary facility, Gage advertised they had a line of 4 colour litho embossed cards “made in three designs, suitable for inserting half-tone cut of prominent scene or building in your town.” Blank embossed cards were first printed for subsequent infilling with local B&W scenes. Later, additional Toronto Litho cards were added Gage's distribution agreement. Occasionally the blank embossed cards are found both unused and postally used.