We have just acquired an interesting and extraordinary annual reports of business conducted by the legendary American Bank Note Company, ABN, as it is commonly know has been America’s premier engraver and printer for 150 years. These thirteen reports document the annual activity of the company from 1864-1876. The reports are fascinating to read and they document the company’s activities in printing national currency for the United States as well as currency for foreign governments. While the detail they offer on the company finances and production is interesting to read, they are signed by some of the period’s most prominent and well respected engravers who had been highly successful independent operators before forming the American Bank Note Company. There are various combinations of the trustees of the company. Signing at the conclusion of the annual reports including the following: George N. Hatch. J.D. Bald, Jno E. Gavit JU. V. Carpenter, William Cumming Smillie James L. Graham, John G. Wellsford, A.G. Goodall, Tracy R. Edson, Charles Welsh, Theo. H. Freeland and others. This unique offering represents perhaps the most important group of such material related to the history of the American Bank Note Company. The combinations of important figures in the engraving industry offer a highly unusual opportunity to acquire these individuals in combination with one another on the early reports of one of America’s important engraving and printing companies. Offerings such as this related to companies of importance are rarely seen. All reports are intact and fine or better condition.

Montevideo, Uruguay. Banco de Londres & Rio De La Plata. 50 pesos. Nr. 015391. Brown/Black/Green. Lovely vignette of liberty, coat of arms. A large note measuring 10” x 5 ¼”. Unissued. UNC. 62. A choice note.

Specimen. Ten dollars. November 2, 1922. Vignette of Jacque Cartier and his men aboard his ship at left and a bust portrait of the bank’s president at right. Orange “Dix” underprint. Green reverse bears the Quebec City Seal. This item has been graded and encapsulated by PASS-CO. Ch. CU-63.

April 10, 1774. Annapolis. Indented bill of Eight Dollars. Signed by Clapham and Eddis.

Colony of Massachusetts Bay note for ten shillings. 7” x 3 5/8”. Massachusetts. May 25, 1775. This note, part of the first emission printed by iconic American patriot Paul Revere, bears the signature of Henry Gardner, the Receiver General of Massachusetts. Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Provincial Congress of MA authorized an emission of £25, 998 in “Soldiers’ Notes” in order to raise an army. These notes, the first emission printed by Paul Revere, were paid to the men who soon found themselves facing British regulars at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Working night and day, Revere threw himself into this task, at times under the watchful eye of two members of congress. Moreover, the plate used for ten shilling notes in this emission was the backside of a recycled plate that had originally been used for Revere’s famous print of the Boston Massacre. This completely engraved note, excepting signature, notations and handwritten serial number, bears partial acantus leaf design and “MBC” (Massachusetts Bay Colony) monogram at scalloped left edge. Below this design is an “American Paper” notation, which the “Amer” of American. Paper also show partial “GR” & crown watermark, which refer to King George III. A great, historically rich note. This item has been encapsulated and graded by PASS-CO. Fine.

No date, n.p. Obsolete note for $2. Black/white. Top center vignette of an allegorical female leaning on a shield. Left and right border vignettes of allegorical females. Unissued and fine.

The Mechanics' Bank of Augusta 1850's $50. Attractive mutli-vignetted note. Printed by Rawdon, Wright & Hateh. Fine

Mexico. 1888. Unissued. Nr. 49003. ABN. Male portrait vignette on front, lovely blue printing on verso with a vignette depicting the bank. Choice CU 63

1862, Bath. NY. Scrip of “Geo W Hallock, Banker.” 25 cents. Eagle and “E Pluribus Unum” Atop both denominations: “Safety Fund.” Handsigned “June” with signature of Clenical, cashier.