J. Frederick C. Talbott Progress Proof Engraving, signed by GFC Smillie to Marcus Baldwin

This progress die proof looks to be a gift from engraver G.F.C. Smillie to his colleague at the B.E.P. Marcus W. Baldwin.

Joshua Frederick Cockey Talbott (July 29, 1843 – October 5, 1918) was a U.S. congressman who represented the second congressional district of Maryland. He was born near Lutherville, Maryland on July 29, 1843. He began to study law in 1862 but joined the Confederate Army during the American Civil War in 1864 to serve in the Second Maryland Cavalry. Following the war, Talbott was admitted to the bar in 1866 and began to practice law in Towson, Maryland.

In 1878, after several years of activity in Democratic politics and local civic affairs, he was elected to the U.S. Congress. Except for the periods 1885 to 1893, during which he served for a time as Insurance Commissioner for Maryland, and 1894 to 1902, he served in Congress until his death. Talbott was a member of the House Naval Affairs Committee for 25 years and worked unceasingly for a strong and modern Navy.

This progress proof vignette measures approximately 2″ x 2.75″ on India paper mounted on card. Overall size of the card is 5.5″ x 8″.

George Frederick Cumming (Fred) Smillie was born in New York on 22 November 1854. Together with the stamp engraver Alfred Jones, His uncle James Smillie taught him the art of engraving. Smillie was so talented that at only 17 years, he was taken on as an apprentice by the ABNC, in 1871. Smillie left the ABNC in 1887, to go and work for his uncle William Cumming Smillie, at the Canadian Bank Note Co. However, Smillie did not enjoy working there so a year on he moved back to the United States and started working for Homer Lee Bank Note Co. Seemingly restless, he also worked for the Hamilton Bank Note Co. and the Western Bank Note Co., in the years 1890 to 1894.

Smillie finally settled down in March 1894, when he started working for the BEP. He became not only their Master Engraver but also the Head of the Engraving Department. Here at the BEP his career really blossomed and he became famous for being the finest engraver of both portraits and vignettes. His work for the allegorical design on the $5 US silver certificate of 1896 is regarded the pinnacle of his talents.

This is an ORIGINAL early twentieth-century die proof; not a reproduction or contemporary print. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.