Vignette Die Proof, “Bunker Hill”, Toppan, Carpenter & Co.

Toppan, Carpenter & Company was an American bank note and security engraving firm founded in Philadelphia. The company originated from an engraving business opened by Charles Toppan in 1829, which later became Draper, Toppan & Company in the 1830s. Following the departure of partner John Draper, Samuel Carpenter joined the business, and the firm officially took the name Toppan, Carpenter & Company by 1845. John W. Casilear joined as a principal partner in 1850, briefly changing the name to Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Company. In 1851, the firm secured a contract with the United States Post Office Department to engrave and print all U.S. postage stamps, a contract they held until 1861. After Casilear left the firm in 1854, the name reverted to Toppan, Carpenter & Company. In 1858, the firm merged with several other prominent engraving partnerships to form the American Bank Note Company.

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