Sheep Shearing, Vignette Die Proof on india on card, ABNCo 1859, W.W. Rice

W.W. Rice born: 1820, died: 1860. W.W. Rice came to NYC from Scotch Plains, NJ and engraved for Rawdon, Wright & Hatch & Co. in 1846. He was a partner with George E. Perrine from 1856-1858 and then worked independently until ca. 1860. In the employment records of 1860 and 1861 at ABNCo “Does not work full time” appears next to his name.

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.