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Please go to the end of this page for information about collecting checks.   Please email us if you would like our help in locating a certain type of check?  Email CandJ    

Alphabetical by state:  

  AL:  A scarce item, this First of Exchange from Mobile, Alabama.  Dated in September 1856.  Very nice condition.  $30

  AL:  With the ornate "1" at left, you know immediately that this is a "First of Exchange".   From the Bank of Mobile, and dated Nov. 21, 1856 this has a lovely steamboat vignette.  The printer of this very attractive financial instrument was J. Carver & Co., of Mobile.  $30

  CA:  Here is a check from the Auditor's Office of Santa Clara County.  It is dated Feb. 27 1858.  The check was written to James W. Easton for Twenty Dollars for Services as Advocate Judge.  It is signed by Austin W. Thompson, County Auditor.  The amount is written at the lower end in a tablet which is a protective device, to prevent altering of the amount.  $25

  DAKOTA:  Written on an account at the First National Bank of Bismarck, this attractive check has an imprinted revenue stamp center.  Dakota became a territory in 1861.  Formerly Lakota land, it was the Northernmost portion of the Louisiana Purchase.  This is, perhaps, the only check we have had on this bank.  It has been spindled, the paper is all there and could be folded back.    $25

  Written at Georgetown, D.C. on 19 August 1861, this is a check drawn on the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank of Georgetown, D.C.  It was written in the amount of $3, to "Self" by "G..... w. Peters".  We can't quite read the signature.  This is a scarce Civil War era financial instrument, and we like the use of the protective tablet lower left, where the amount is written.  Nice condition.  $6 plus postage and insurance

  FL:  A check for $100 written at Apalachicola, on Feby 24, 1852.  It was to pay Mrs. John Dixon and is signed Tomas L. Mitchie.  Note the protective tablet lower left, where the amount is entered - this way it could not be altered.  From our personal collection.  ebay soon

  FL:  One of the colorful checks issued by "Colonel" Grover Criswell, author of  widely used reference books on CSA currency and bonds.  Deceased some years now.  This check is dated Aug. 14, 1979, and is written to the Lehigh Valley Rail Road for $23,800.00!  We imagine this was to buy a large group of stocks which Grover often handled.  Signed by him, with that large flamboyant signature.  Flamboyant describes him in one aspect, surely.  SOLD

  GA:  This check is a very scarce item.  It is a proof, made for the Bank of Camden County, St. Mary's Ga. in the 'teens.  It was printed by Walker, Evans, and Cogswell of Charleston, S.C.  They were the printers for Confederate money during the War.  From our personal collection of Georgia fiscal paper.  

  Chicago Otr 1869 (we think that that is an abbreviation for October, difficult to read).  Here is a receipt for payment with a check with an imprinted revenue stamp; unusual usage.  Scott Specialized RN-B20.  From "Keith Brothers;, HATS, CAPS & FURS, Millinery & Straw Goods, 68 & 70 Wabash Ave.  The printer of this was the Western Bank Note & Engraving Co. of Chicago.  Signed for Keith Brothers per M. H. Cheney, in receipt of a $50 payment by check.  Protective tablet lower left with amount written in.  

  KS:  A lovely pink color check with a marvelous vignette of Liberty with shield, banner, eagle and the map of the continent on the shield.  Written on an account of the Toronto Bank, at Toronto, Woodson Co., Kas, Dec 19 1888, it is directed to the Chase National Bank, New York.  Printer's name below the vignette:  Wm Mann Co. 529 Market St., Philadelphia.  Signed by B.F. Everett, Cashier of the bank.  This is from our personal collection and the only one like this that we have owned.  $6

  MA:  This is dividend check number 6 and it is dated January 1, 1866.  It was issued by the Boston, Newport and New York Steamboat Co., on an account in Boston - please note that the bank name has been changed from "Second" to Massachusetts National Bank.  A revenue stamp is affixed upper right corner.  This check paid J.M. Murdock Fifty dollars; signed by Wm. A. Hayes, as treasurer.  A nice piece of Massachusetts fiscal history.  From our personal collection.  sold

  MA:  A check with an imprinted revenue stamp drawn on an account at the Taunton National Bank.  dated July 20th., 1876.  Printer was Major & Knapp Mfg. & Lith. Co., 56 Park Place, N.Y.  Attractive 130 year old financial instrument.  

    NEB:  A nice old check, more attractive to the eye than to the scanner.  At left a wonderful vignette of a steam engine.  The check was written by the Union Pacific Railroad Company at Omaha, Nebraska, in oct. 5, 1875.  The amount was $1061.10.  That was a lot of money in those days.  It was to pay the August Ticket Bill.  We very seldom have checks or anything else much from Nebraska.  Gray background with white lettering of Union Pacific Railroad Company - a protective device to prevent alteration.  Printer of this check was Snyder & Black, 92 William St., N.Y.  ebay soon.

   A Memorandum Check from Paxton & Curtis, Bankers - this is, then, a private bankers' check.  Written at Austin, Nevada on July 7, 1880, it is for $4.98.  It was to pay the telegraph bill for Manhattan Silver Co.  $6 plus postage and ins.  $20

  Nevada:  A.T. Rogers, Jr., Attorney at Law, wrote this check on his account at the First National Bank of Las Vegas, New Mexico.  There is an ornate rendering of the bank's initials at left.  Written to "Secretary of State" for $2.50, it is endorsed on the back by hand Soledad C. Chacon, Secy. of State.  The date of the check is 8/28/24.  Signed by attorney Rogers.  

  NJ:  United States Agency for Department of the Interior Paying Pensions is what it says in the block at left, along with the beautiful eagle vignette.  Issued from the First National Bank at Trenton, N.J. United States Depository, and dated 1875, (altered from 186_), this beautiful check has a green background with an image of the bank; a protective device as no erasure could be made in order to raise the amount.  This check was paid to Charles H. Crawford for $89.85; endorsed on the back, there are several more signatures as it went around.  The check is signed by the Pension Agent.  Two spindle holes which could be closed but we leave items "as found".  Very, very attractive.  Note that it says "No Stamp Required" ... in other words, no revenue stamp needed on this.  $25

  NJ:  Dated at Newark, N.J. on Oct 17th. 1865, this check is written to the order of the N. Jersey Rail Road for $503.06.  It was drawn on an account at the Mechanics Bank, by T.P. Howell & Co.; their stamp cancels the revenue upper left.  

  NY:  This manuscript check is dated Jan 24th, 1834, Otsego County Bank, Cooperstown (see upper right).  It directs the "Cashier of the Mechanics & Farmers Bank Albany" to "Pay to I Holland, Esquire, on order Two Hundred and Twenty Six 40/100 dollars".  It is signed beautifully: J.H. Scott, Cashier.  

   NY:  This is probably one of the most beautiful checks we have owned.  Written in Brooklyn July 18th 1874, on an account at the Nassau National Bank of Brooklyn.  Signed by Gilbert & Cortelyou, who we think were bankers themselves.  Wonderful vignette of Liberty and Eagle at left; imprinted revenue stamp as well.

NC:  A nice advertising check from Asheville NC on the Coca-Cola Company that was located there.  Dated Sept. 27, 1918 at Forest City, N.C. It was written to the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Ashe.  Amount $1.54, much more money then than it is now; the bank was The Farmers Bank & Trust Co.

  NC:  We think this is a good looking check as we especially like the Eagle & Flag vignette.  Dated at Goldston, N.C. on Feb. 16, 1921, it was written to the National Biscuit Co. for $19.03.  The issuer of this check was the Farmer's Union Store Co., Inc., Dealers in General Merchandise.  This is from our personal collection - both NC and advertising.  Written on an account at the Bank of Goldston.  As seen in the scan, protective paper was used, and the check paper printer was EverettWaddeyCoRichmond,Va (as printed on check).  

NC:  Here is a wonderful tobacco collectible.  This ornate check was drawn on an account at the Bank of Reidsville.  The issuer was R.P. Richardson, Jr. & Co. Manufacturers of Strictly Fine Smoking Tobacco (see top of check).  Dated April 21, 1926.  A lovely vignette of a flying female at left. 

  A check that is slightly larger than today's checks are.  It was drawn on an account at the Farmers' & Mechanics National Bank of Philadelphia, directed to the State National Bank, Boston.  Dated September 3m 1867, it is written for what was then an enormous sum of money - Fifty seven hundred and twenty one 17/100 Dollars.  There is a sl edge split central beneath the name of the printer, who was Steel of Philadelphia.  Signed by the Cashier.  Ornate tablet at left with Bank's name.  Back shows many endorsements....at least four. Please note the central imprinted revenue stamp.   SOLD

  PA:  Here is a check from W.H. Klinginsmith, Attorney-at-Law.  Dated May 1, 1876, it was written on an account at the Greensburg Banking Co.  Note the imprinted revenue, which is RN-K5, brown, and a several year  old catalog shows the value at $110.  Lovely vignette at left, bank name in an ornate scroll.  Make offer?  or soon to ebay

  PA:  A beautiful large check from the Treasurer of the State of Pennsylvania.  An American Bank Note Co. issue, and dated the School Year of 1862.  It was written to Daniel Hoffer (endorsed on back) as Treasurer of Middlesex Common School District in the County of Cumberland, for $133.20, this being the "Portion of State Appropriation due said district for that School year".  February 28, 1862.  Signed by Tho. H. Dusnomas (we think - ornate script and difficult to read).

  PA:  This check dated November 28 1871, at West Chester, Pa., was written on an account at the National Bank of Chester County.  It was written by John P. Sager, for $505.38.  Printed on pink paper by Hickman & Hammond, Prs. West Chester, Pa.  Note the stamp cancelled revenue stamp affixed at left. CC.

  PA:  An attractive check dated April 4 1901, which seems to be a combination promissory note in that it reads at top:  Two months after date I promise to and then the next line reads as any check:  Pay to the order of William W. Skinner.  The bank is The National Bank of Spring City, in the town of the same name.  There is a vignette of a pretty woman at left, beneath the revenue stamp, which has a stamp cancel.  Attractive, unusual, from our personal collection.

  SC:  This counter check was written on an account at the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Marion, SC.  It paid Jas. Rogers $19.04 for "Picking Cotton".  You have to wonder if this was for a day's work, a week's, or what?  Dated Oct. 3rd. 1925.  

  SC:  This check is dated at Anderson, S.C., Feb 27, 1878.  The check is drawn on an account at The National Bank of Anderson. It was printed by Walker, Evans & Cogswell, who had been the Confederate printers, printing much of the CSA currency.  Note the revenue stamp upper right, which has been hand canceled.  

TN:  Here is a check from our personal collection of checks that immediately inform about hte business.  Across the top:  Price Bros., General Merchandise and Produce, Proprietors Hickory View Dairy Farm.  They had an R.F.D. 2 address in Calhoun, Tennessee.  Dated March 12, 1919 and written on an account at the Hiwassee Bank of Charleston, Tenn.  Printers of this check:  Paragon Printing Works, Beaver Dam, Ky.  Super condition, esp. when one considers the age.  For the person interested in financial history of the state of Tennessee, and of that era.  ebay soon

  VT:  A check dated July 11 1873, at Burlington and issued by the State of Vermont (see left end).  It was payable for $70.57, in Gold and was made to the Collector of Customs.  The printer was Corlies, Macy  Co. of Nassau St., New York.  Note the imprinted revenue center. CC.  ebay soon

  VA:  A gorgeous check with an accompanying vignette by American Bank Note Co., which appears to have been cut from a bond.  This check dated May 2, 1881 (altered from 187_), was written on an account at the Richmond, Va. National Bank of Virginia.  Note the revenue stamp, central.  The check itself was printed by the Maverick press.  Not presently for sale, but we are proud of it and thought we'd show it here.

  VA:  A charming example of an early check on the Bank of Virginia - actually it reads:  Cashier of the Bank of Virginia, Pay to Ira W. Blunt or Bearer, Five hundred seventy three 37/100 dollars, and is signed (?)Rev. J. Sizer (not sure of the signer's name).  Dated Feb 1, 1855.  CC.  Nice archaic penmanship.  

  VA:  A check written June 19 1900, at Richmond, on an account at the Security Bank of Richmond.  It directs the bank to pay Bearer $5 and is signed by Anna Clay-Crenshaw.  Note the revenue stamp, top left.  

  VA:  Winchester, Va., Nov 26 1898  This check was written on an account at the Shenandoah Valley National Bank for $95.  The printer was Young & Selden, Balto.  Ornate tablet at left; a revenue stamp is affixed top left.  

  A refund check from Montgomery Ward, in the amount of three cents.  Ed Rochette, former Executive Director of the American Numismatic Association, and current member of the Board of Governors, wrote about these in the latest edition of The Numismatist.

RECENTLY SOLD ITEMS:

AL:  This manuscript check was written at Gainesville, and is dated May 19, 1871.  It directs "At sight, pay to J.W. Bradshaw on order Forty Seven 17/ Dollars and charge.  Signed Chas. Cooke and sent to T. Reavis, Esquire, at Gainesville, Ala.  A two cent revenue stamp was applied.  We imagine the reason for the check being written out like this would have been because the shortage of paper that occurred during the War Between the States had still not resolved.  Certainly, this is unusual, and we see very few documents from Alabama such as this.  SOLD

  VA:  An attractive check issued from the Office of the Virginia Fire and Marine Insurance Company.  Written on an account at the *Planters National Bank of Richmond and dated July 8th 1871 (altered from 186_).  CC  Two attractive vignettes; sailing ship upper right, female with anchor and cotton bale, lower left.  Note the revenue stamp, hand canceled, upper left corner.  Signed by the Secretary and the President.  Printed by Ludwig & Keating, Engrs.  * This bank held charter no. 1628, granted in January 1866, placed in voluntary liquidation February 27 1926.  They had a capital of one million dollars and were absorbed by the State Planters' Bank & Trust Co., Richmond.  Issued only large size currency.  SOLD

  NJ:  This check from Hoboken is much more attractive to the eye than to the scanner.  The red markings are crayon cancel.  Drawn on an account at the Hoboken City Bank, and written to an insurance company, this is from our personal collection of checks dated during the Civil War.  This is dated December 19,  1864.  Note the revenue stamp, canceled by hand, upper left corner.  Printer was A.G. Evans, Power Press Printer, 56 Washington St., Hoboken.  Ornate tablet at left has bank's name.  SOLD

Advertising Checks:

  Here are three Wisconsin checks, from our advertising collection, which shows a progression of the business.

Here are two checks from the H.J. Heinz Co., one in 1902, the other 1906.  Don't you love the pickle on the second one?, and the "Heinz 57 Varieties" overprint in green, center.  The first, has a protective counter - Heinz in green all over the check so the paper would show right away any type of alteration attempted.  Two nice early specimens from our personal collection.

  From Mente & Co. (see lt corner) this fiscal document is dated in New Orleans, La. on April 16, 1914.  "On Demand Pay to the order of .... First National Bank of Morganton, NC.

  A large receipt (5 1/4 x 8") dated at New Orleans, January 31 1869.  From Messrs. Brousseau & Co. to the Office of the Picayune.  They'd apparently bought some new carpets.  A revenue stamp is affixed, hand canceled with an "X".  Sl paper loss along crease, otherwise quite nice condition.  

  A promissory note dated October11 1813.  It was to be paid at the Bank of Washington, Penna., thirty days after date.  The amount was $200.  Upper left shows an early U.S. embossed revenue stamp; eagle on shield, ten cents.  Cut Cancel through the stamp as usual.  We believe this to be Scott RM 276A, from the specialized catalog.  SOLD

  South Dakota, County of Bon Homme.  While not a check, nor a promissory note, this is a financial instrument.  It is a receipt for a Poll Tax paid in Labor.  P. de Linde worked one day of eight hours on Nov. 10th. 1899, to pay his tax so he could vote.  How many people today are that determined to vote?  This was for eight hours of work on the public highways of Road District No. 14.  Impressive and historic.  ebay 12/12

A promissory note with an attractive vignette at left, which we think represents industry.  The printer was Jackson of Philadelphia.  The note was made at Georgetown, D.C. on Jan 24th. 1861, for $300 which was a considerable sum at the time.  Dog's head vignette left of the signature line.  Super Civil War financial document, no revenue.  ebay soon

     Barclays Bank Limited.  Here is a large green attractive check written in 1932, by The Boston Waterworks Company.  We found this ornate check interesting, especially because of the embossed two pence revenue stamp at mid-right.  This is from our personal collection demonstrating other countries' revenue stamps and the different types used.

  This check was dated March 27th., 1939 at Havana.  It was payable from the National City Bank of New York, Havana Branch to the National City Bank of New York at 55 Wall Street, New York.  It was signed by the manager and the back has two Cuban revenue stamps.  An Original, a duplicate was issued at the same time, in case the first was lost - in that case the duplicate would be paid.  Interesting and the only one we have had in a very long time.  ebay 11/9

Ontario, Canada.  Actually, this check is from Renfrew, Ont. and was written 16 Dec 1916.  There is a Canadian revenue stamp at left - Canada War Tax in the tablet placed there for such a purpose.  Written on an account at the Merchants Bank of Canada.  From our personal collection demonstrating other countries' revenue stamps.  $10

Related Ephemera:

  Wow, this looks big.  Actually, it is about the size of a business card and advertises Gimbel Brothers Bank and Trust Company, Philadelphia.  One side has a 1939 calendar.  Quite nice.

  We have collected blotters such as this, that show money and/or checks, in a bank book, for many years.  Please contact us if you have such items for sale?

An absolutely pristine blotter advertising American Express Travelers' Checks.  This came from the Union National Bank of Jersey Shore at Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania.