RaleighReloader
Well-Known Member
Here's a little something Louisiana related from my thesis research ...
Cook & Brother was started by Ferdinand Cook and Francis Cook in New Orleans, LA in 1861. Their guns were well made and are now treasured collectibles (the few I've seen sell go for many thousands of dollars each). My research shows that they moved to Selma, Alabama in 1862 and Athens, Georgia around 1863 before going out of business a few years later.
I've come across a number of gun merchants that coined/printed their own money (Benjamin Kittredge in Cincinnati, Ohio comes to mind), but this is the first piece of currency from a gun manufacturer that I've ever seen.
There were a number of companies producing paper currency during this time; banks, in particular, took delight in having elaborate scrip printed. I haven't tracked the engravings on this bill yet, but it's entirely possible that there are many other currency pressings out there that had the same engravings.
Mike
Cook & Brother was started by Ferdinand Cook and Francis Cook in New Orleans, LA in 1861. Their guns were well made and are now treasured collectibles (the few I've seen sell go for many thousands of dollars each). My research shows that they moved to Selma, Alabama in 1862 and Athens, Georgia around 1863 before going out of business a few years later.
I've come across a number of gun merchants that coined/printed their own money (Benjamin Kittredge in Cincinnati, Ohio comes to mind), but this is the first piece of currency from a gun manufacturer that I've ever seen.
There were a number of companies producing paper currency during this time; banks, in particular, took delight in having elaborate scrip printed. I haven't tracked the engravings on this bill yet, but it's entirely possible that there are many other currency pressings out there that had the same engravings.
Mike
