Samuel Morse Die Proof Engraving on india, BEP, GFC Smillie

This is an engraved portrait of Samuel F. B. Morse (1791-1872), the American inventor best known for his contributions to the single-wire telegraph system and Morse code. The engraving was created by George Frederick Cumming Smillie, a prominent engraver who worked for the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). The image depicts Morse as an older gentleman with long, wavy white hair, glasses, and a very long, full white beard. He is wearing a dark coat and several medals pinned to his chest. Smillie was known for his work on U.S. banknotes and stamps, and this portrait appeared on the reverse of 1896 $2 “Educational Series” Silver Certificate note alongside inventor Robert Fulton.

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 nineteenth-century die proof; not a reproduction or contemporary print. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.