See below for details
Charles Toppan founded a printing firm in 1829 in Philadelphia. He left the firm to join Draper, Toppan & Co in 1837. After that company was dissolved it became Toppan, Carpenter & Co. with the joining of Samuel Carpenter. Designer and engraver John W. Casilear joined as a principle partner in 1850, at which point the final iteration of the company name was complete- Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. Cashier became a famous landscape painter of the Hudson School
The firm specialized in security printing, and won a six year contract with the United States Postal Service in 1851. This contract would be extended until 1861. In 1858, the firm merged with a number of others to form the American Bank Note Company, but continued to use its own name until 1861.
Probably the most notable achievement attributable to the company is developing the perforation of stamps in the US. English stamps with perforations were appearing in the United States. Toppan, after much difficulty and delay, imported a Bemrose rouletting perforation machine from England, a decision having made to choose perforation over rouletting the stamps and the machine was retooled to perforate. The earliest known use of perforated stamp was February 28, 1857 on the 3¢ Washington.
This Early Rotary perforating machine can be seen in the National Postal Museum
Lake George
by John W. Casilear
Within a couple of years of joining Toppan, Carpenter and Casilear, John Casilear ceased his engraving to focus on his painting career.
Charles Toppan
1796-1874
Samuel Carpenter
John William Casilear
1811-1893
Die essay on India, cut to shape and mounted on thin card
5-E1a
Die essay on old proof paper
44 x 43mm
5-E1b
Die essay on thin card, block of four
5-E1f
Large die on India, cut to shape
mounted on a 50 x 62 mm card
5-E2
Die Essay on India
Die sunk on 87 x 116mm card with full die sinkage
11-E17a
Die Essay on Old Ivory Paper
47 x 52mm
11-E17b
Die essay on proof paper, printed through a mat
11-E17c
Die essay on colored card
11-E17d
Die Essay on India on card, cut down
(engraved background)
11-E18Ab
Die essay on India mounted on card
75 x 52 mm
11-E19
Die Essay on Thick Cream Card
51 x 55mm
11-E23 var
Trial color proof on proof paper
13-TC1
Washington Die Essay on Old Proof Paper
Cut to shape and mounted on card
11-E24
Die Essay on India
17-E1
Die Essay on India
17-E2
Large die Essay on India
37-E1
Large die Essay on India
37-E2
Trial color proof on stamp paper
37-TC1
Plate proof on stamp paper
37-P3
Large die Essay on India
38-E1
Large die Essay on India
Unlisted
38-E1 var
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