Sheep Washing, Vignette Die Proof on india, Continental Bank Note Co., 1866

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Felix Octavius Carr Darley began drawing in his youth. He moved to New York City, New York in 1848 and in 1850 he was invited to illustrate Washington Irving’s works ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ and ‘Rip Van Winkle’. He continued to illustrate works by Washington Irving but added James Fenimore Cooper, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Longfellow, James Whitcomb Riley, and Charles Dickens, to his client list. He also designed bank notes and bonds for the U.S. government. His work helped popularize icons such as the Pilgrim, the Pioneer, the Minuteman and the Yankee Peddler. He became one of the best-known illustrators of his time, so great was the demand for Darley’s work that new books were promoted as illustrated by Darley. The Philadelphia Inquirer noted that Darley “dominated American illustration for nearly a half-century.”

Founded in 1863 by Waterman Lilly Ormsby, the Continental Bank Note Company (ConBNC) promised greater efficiency and profitability than its competitors. It combined business acumen, independent and highly-skilled engraving, and well-connected entrepreneurs to secure important contracts, among them the U.S. Treasury Department’s sole currency contract. ConBNC triumphed where National Bank Note, American Bank Note, and others failed. ConBNC also secured the sole contract to print U.S. postage stamps. On 1 May 1873 the firm became National Bank Note Company’s successor. In 1879, ConBNC merged with the American Bank Note Company.

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