American Banknote Archive Series - 1990 dated American Bank Note Company

Collectors book of the 1990 American Bank Note Archive Series. This limited edition collection of fine engravings contain 12 vignette sheets and 12 historical data sheets. The book measures 11 1/2" x 8 1/2".

The American Banknote Archive Series, often called the American Bank Note Company (ABNC) Archive Series or “SOA” (Scenes of America), is a renowned collection of hardbound portfolios published annually from 1987 to 1992. Each of the six volumes presents a carefully curated selection of archival material from the esteemed American Bank Note Company, established in 1795 and a dominant force in high-security printing for over two centuries. These portfolios were designed to showcase the intricate and historical art of intaglio engraving, featuring vignettes and portraits that had previously graced 19th and early 20th-century American and international banknotes, stocks, bonds, and stamps.

Each annual portfolio typically comprises twelve folio sheets, each protected in a sleeve and displaying five to ten highly detailed, black-and-white engraved vignettes. These vignettes are organized into thematic categories such as “Allegories of Finance,” “The Iron Horse,” “Prominent Americans,” and “Rural America.” Each folio set includes supporting documentation, providing information about the artist, engraver, and the original usage of each image. Today, the Archive Series stands as a crucial reference for numismatic and philatelic researchers, offering a preserved glimpse into the exceptional craftsmanship of the banknote era.