American Bank Note Company signed by George W. Hatch - 1863 dated Autographed Stock Certificate

Stock certificate signed by Geo. W. Hatch of Hatch, Rawdon, Wright and Edson. 25 cents Washington revenue stamp. Colorful and attractive stock!

Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson (RWH&E), a prominent printing and engraving firm in nineteenth-century America, made history as the first to secure a government contract for designing and printing U.S. postage stamps. Although their initial production was limited to only two stamp issues, their artistic prowess set the benchmark for subsequent U.S. printing and engraving firms. Notably, the RWH&E issues surpassed the initial stamps produced by other countries.

Ralph Rawdon established an engraving and printing firm in Albany, New York, in 1816. His younger brother, Freeman Rawdon, created his own independent firm sometime after 1825. Initially, Ralph partnered with Vistus Balch of Williamstown, Massachusetts (approximately 1818-1822), and later with Asahel Clark to form Rawdon, Clark, & Co. At the same time, Freeman partnered with Neziah Wright in 1828, establishing Rawdon, Wright, & Co. in New York City. On March 1, 1832, their two firms merged to form Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, & Company.

Tracy R. Edson joined the company as a business administrator during this merger. Although he may have had training in engraving, Edson played a crucial role in managing the operations of the firm’s New Orleans office until 1847. During this period (1832-1846/47), he was instrumental in establishing RWH&Co offices in Boston, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati. This strategic move aimed to expand their presence in the western market, offering superior quality work at a relatively close distance.

Edson returned to the main office in New York City in 1847 to oversee the entire firm. His name was added to the company’s title, and Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson secured a government contract from the United States to print postage stamps (1847-1851). The transformations in managing partners and offices that commenced on March 1, 1832, when Edson joined, culminated in a final merger with seven other firms in 1858. The newly formed, consolidated company was named American Bank Note Company. RWH&E held the largest share in the new company (23.9 percent), while Toppan, Carpenter & Co.—the second firm to receive the government contract for postage stamps (1851-1861)—held a 22.4 percent share. Out of the five private firms that printed stamps for the United States during the Classic Period (1847-1893), RWH&E produced the fewest stamps. However, its seemingly insignificant contribution had lasting effects on the American mail system and on philately.

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