First Reading of the Declaration, Vignette Die Proof Essay on india on card, ABNCo 1896

Interesting die proof essay of The First Reading of the Declaration of Independence by Louis Delnoce. First use was on a Colonial Trust Co. stock certificate, 1896 according to Gene Hessler’s book The Engraver’s Line. The corner ornaments are separate added elements on india paper.

LOUIS LUIGI DELNOCE (1822-1890) had devoted himself to bank note engraving only after 1860 when he joined the National Bank Note Company. He was born in New York City and by 1848 was in business for himself as an engraver at 120 William Street and at 96 Fulton Street. His business card announced: “All kinds of Diplomas, Portraits, Dies, Landscapes, Ball Tickets, Cards, &c. neatly engraved.” Delnoce gained a reputation as an admirable engraver of book illustrations during the period from 1845 to 1860. Between 1851 and 1855 he worked under John W. Casilear of Toppan, Car­penter, Casilear & Co. In addition to the National Currency vignettes, he is credited with the portraits for three of the 1870 series of postage stamps as issued, the 10c Jefferson, 15c Webster, and 90c Perry; with the vignette “Reconstruction” used on the $100 Legal Tender issue of 1869; and with the 10c “Eagle and Shield” of the 1869 postage issue.

When his contract with the National Bank Note Co. was about to expire in 1870, Delnoce wrote to his employers, “As my contract expires tomorrow, my desk becomes vacant as I prefer to work at home.” Louis Delnoce was very active as a freelance engraver after 1870 for all the major bank note firms. His work includes the portrait of Dom Pedro for the 1878 issue of Brazilian stamps and a number of other engravings for the American Bank Note Co. Louis Delnoce also exhibited ex­amples of his painting at the National Academy.

The American Banknote Company (ABNC) and its predecessor companies engraved and printed many of the world’s classic stamps, banknotes and securities. Although it traces its origins into the 1700s, the company as we know it was formed in 1858 by the consolidation of six leading engraving com­panies, including Danforth, Perkins & Co., Bald, Cousland and Co, Toppan, Carpenter and Co., John E. Gavit, Jocelyn, Draper, Welsh & Co., Wellstood, Hanks, Hay & Whiting and Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson. Over the years, ABNC acquired various security printers, including Hamilton and Continental Banknote Companies, Security Banknote Co. and many others. Collectors of Proofs and Essays will recognize many of these names as the leading engravers of 19th Century stamps. The ABNC continued its leadership role well into the 20th Century, designing and en­graving stamps, banknotes and stock certificates for countries and corporations all over the world. The original ABNC archives were sold in the early 1990s. Most of those items have been absorbed into individual collections and have become eagerly sought-after treasures.

Note: this is an ORIGINAL india proof; not a reproduction or contemporary print. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.