This blog often focuses on new banknotes or countries and their history of banknotes, but what would a history be without the history of leading companies involved in the industry? American Bank Note Company had been a leading supplier of banknotes for more than 150 years. In 1959, this printer produced a history of itself and possibly one of the best books for collectors.
Source: LaBarre Galeries
American Bank Note Company History
For much of the 1900’s, companies proudly published their own histories in high quality books. In some cases, these would be issued for anniversary years. Other times, they would double as a product line brochure. In all cases, they created a snapshot of a company and its view of itself, and the industry it participates. The 1959 American Banknote published this book to commemorate 100 years since consolidation of several printers into American Banknote. These printers names have been forgotten to history by all but the most ardent collectors, but each of them had been involved in printing of banknotes, stamps, coupons, share documents and related documents of value.
Source: LaBarre Galeries
This book not only writes the history of the US banknote industry but also includes actual examples of engraved portraits and vignettes. On occasion, one can find these inserted pages for sale in numismatic auctions, but to see the dozens of actual prints in one book shows the breadth of the subjects used, the overall beauty of the art and the range of countries supplied. The extent of American Banknote’s and its affiliates’ global business is shown in a map highlighting the countries for which they had issued banknotes. The authors identified 115 countries at a time that there were only 140 or so total countries in the world.
Source: Banknote World
This book is hardback and was published in 1959. It is not to be confused with a 2013 paperback version which has not been reviewed. This 1959 version, with 8 double pages of steel-plate engravings is special. It is hard to find, but if you can, it is a fabulous addition to a collector’s library.
