“Saying Goodbye” Vignette Die Proof, ABNCo, Owen G. Hanks, FOC Darley

The American Bank Note Company vignette titled “Saying Goodbye” (1862) is a masterful example of 19th-century intaglio engraving, originally drawn by the prolific American illustrator Felix Octavius Carr (F.O.C.) Darley and engraved by Owen G. Hanks. The scene captures a poignant moment of transition in “Rural America,” depicting three figures in a coastal field amidst harvested wheat sheaves. A young man, prepared for a journey with a bundle slung over his shoulder, stands ready to depart while an older man kneels beside him, perhaps offering final advice or a blessing. A third figure looks on, grounding the scene in a sense of community and familial bond. In the background, a lone sailing ship waits on the horizon, symbolizing the vast opportunities and bittersweet separations of the era. This highly detailed work served a dual purpose: it was both a piece of fine sentimental art and a sophisticated anti-counterfeiting measure, appearing on documents like the $2 notes for the County of Erie, Pennsylvania.

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