More info:
Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. (1851–1861) was a prominent American banknote and postage stamp engraving firm based in Philadelphia and New York. They are best known for producing the 1851-1857 U.S. postage stamp series, including the 1-cent, 3-cent, 5-cent, 10-cent, and 12-cent denominations, as well as engraving various banknotes and stock certificates.
Key details about the firm include:
- Key Individuals: The firm was led by Charles Toppan, who began his career in 1829, along with partners such as Carpenter and John W. Casilear, a renowned engraver.
- Postal Impact: They took over the printing of U.S. stamps from Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, starting July 1, 1851. They produced the 1851 series, which introduced the first 1-cent and 3-cent stamps of that era, and were responsible for the transition to perforated stamps in 1857.
- Bank Note Era: The company was a major player in creating "obsolete" banknotes for private banks in the 1850s, a period before the National Bank Act of 1863.
- Legacy: The firm later evolved and became part of the American Bank Note Company in 1858, though they continued to operate under various iterations during that transition period.
They were known for high-quality steel-plate engraving, essential for preventing counterfeiting in the mid-19th century.
