Banknotes Needed (1870-71 No Secret Marks)

Luciano, National and American were different but they had many of the same players. All of the early stamp printer were intertwined.
The first stamp contract (1847-51) was awarded to Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson.
The second (1851-61) was Toppan, Cartenter, Casilear & Co.
The third (1861-73) was National Bank Note Co.
The fourth (1873-79) was Continental Bank Note Co.
The fifth (1879-94) was American Bank Note CO.

The American Bank Note Co was formed in 1858 with the merging of several other companies with one of the principals being Tracy Edson from the first printing firm. American was later joined (about 1860) by Toppan, Carpenter & Co. (Casilear had left to pursue an art career that was short lived as he became the chief engraver for the Bureau of Engraving & Printing).

In 1861 when National won the contract over Toppan, Carpenter & Co., their supervisor of stamp production (Charles Steel) went to National in the same capacity and he would hold that position at Continental and American.

In 1868 National competed against American Bank Note Co. and Butler & Carpenter (from Toppan, Carpenter & Co. (George T. Jone also bid on the 1868 contract).

In 1873 Continental won the contract and Charles Steel (production supervivor) and James Macdonough (chief officer) move with the contract from National to Continental.

In 1879 Continental and American merged and both Steel and Macdonough continued.

In 1889, Steel started his own company and was awarded the contract but did not comply with all the conditions and it was removed and awarded to American.

Different comanies but the same players.

Here's a link to another good summary:

http://arago.si.edu/index.asp?con=1...&tid=2033397

Excelent!!

thanks a lot to you.

Luciano