Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 317 - The Collector's Series
Lot: 274

U.S. Treasury Specimen Vignette Book. Large oblong octavo, near quarto, 25cm by 18cm by 5cm. Rebound in red cloth with brown leather spine. The title page states "U.S. Treasury Department, Specimens. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Washington. Geo. B. McCaree, Chief of Bureau - Geo. W. Casilear Supt of Eng'sVc."
Inside are 100 intaglio die proof vignettes, interleaved with tissue guards, on thick gilt edged cards. There are 45 portraits, 7 famous buildings, and 48 vignettes on general subjects including historical titles. Several of these engravings appear on Federal currency, bonds, or Treasury forms.
The first portrait in the book is of U. S. Grant; President at the time this book was created. From the terms of service of the Treasury officials listed on the title page, we may safely conclude the book was assembled in the mid 1870s.
A partial list of the engravings includes Grant, Boutwell, Van Buren, Clay, Chase, Garrett, Taylor, Madison, Harrison, Silas Wright, Stanton, Lincoln, Wolcott, Jackson, Webster, Jefferson, Washington, McCulloch, Burlingame, Adams, Belknap, Cisco, Dix, Hamilton, Douglas, Benton, Mansfield, Baker, Andrew, Scott, Spinner, Farragut, The Capitol, The Treasury, Patent Office, Ships, Valley Forge, The Guardian, In The Turret, Columbus Discovery of Land, The Smokers, The Standard Bearer, The Pioneer, Victory, Return of Peace, Reconstruction, Caduceus, Loyalty, Mortar Firing, Farmer and Mechanic, Sound Steamboat, Launching Through the Surf, Mississippi Steamboat, Harvesting, Seeding and Ginning, New Ironsides.
The interior die proof cards and tissue guards show light to moderate age toning, but most of the actual vignettes are quite atttractive. While the cover may not be impressive, the vignette selection is excellent, and just viewing this book will be a highly pleasurable experience.
A great opportunity for anyone who collects bank note engravings.

Sold for
$2,500