Engravers and Printers of Confederate Paper Money

Without the ability to issue paper money, a national currency, to fuel its fragile war-time economy, the Confederate States of America would not have lasted more than a few months. America was amongst the world leaders in the bank note engraving and printing industry at that time, but this specialised expertise resided in companies based in the North, predominantly in New York City. So, how exactly did the Confederate States Treasury managed to issue more than $2 billion in Treasury notes and bonds during its short life? Between 1861 and 1865, thirteen different companies – a hotchpotch of the good, the bad, and the ugly – played some part in the engraving and printing work commissioned by the Confederate Treasury department in Richmond. Collectively, these companies manufactured almost 85 million individual Treasury notes; some were also involved in the production of Confederate States bonds and postage stamps, as well as Treasury notes for various Southern States. This 535-page book, packed with useful information and colourful supporting images, provides an introduction into the world of mid-nineteenth century engraving and printing, and a detailed insight into each of the companies that provided these services to the Confederate States Treasury. Extensive original research by the author reveals the fascinating lives and times of the key people behind these companies, many of them recent emigrants from Great Britain and Europe. Almost every single Confederate States Treasury note bears an imprint from the company that engraved and/or printed it - this book brings those imprints to life, enhancing the collector's knowledge and enjoyment of the notes in their possession.