I was out in Gettysburg, PA this past weekend, and picked up this obsolete to add to my collection of NJ notes. This is only the second piece of private scrip I have so far, but I plan on adding to that as my collection grows. Although there's no company name on the note, I recognized the name of the signer George Stanger as an early New Jersey glass maker. The Stangers started making glass in the state in 1779 and continued in the business until the 1920's. This particular company was named the Stanger Warrick Glassworks, but was more commonly known as the Temperance Glassworks because the company employed only non-drinkers. It made mostly window glass and some holloware, but strictly refused to make whiskey flasks or bottles. George Stanger was a principle in the business that first started in 1834. This note is dated 1849, and is about the time they sold out to Whitney Glass. This note is an example of the scrip paid to their workers, and redeemable only at the company stores. Unfortunately for the workers, the prices charged for goods in their stores was from 2 to 3 times higher than those charged at non-company stores. The company had the best of both worlds. The pay they gave their employees was only good at their outlets, and at no one elses. Stanger also issued metal tokens. I thought this was an interesting piece of early NJ scrip, and wanted to post it for you guys to see. It's definitely worn but probably rare, so the condition of it is not that important. I hope you like it. Thanks for looking. Bruce
Thanks Chris. It's scary, but I find myself looking for these notes and scrip whenever I'm in a shop or at a show. I feel an addiction coming on but I can't stop. Bruce
I bought it at the Horse Soldier on Steinwehr Ave. Mark. If you haven't been there, you should go. They sell old original Civil War era muskets, uniforms, pistols, sabers, bayonetts, even newspapers and some Civil War currency. The place is like a museum, except everything is for sale. Really interesting place to see, even if you don't buy. Have any of you guys ever been there? Bruce
That is the best shop in Gettysburg. I could spend the whole day there. There are enough guns to arm they northern army again. It's amazing to see the artifacts the have. Thanks for posting that Photo. Not only is it a nice find, it's made even better by where you found it. Thanks Bruce!
"This note is an example of the scrip paid to their workers, and redeemable only at the company stores. Unfortunately for the workers, the prices charged for goods in their stores was from 2 to 3 times higher than those charged at non-company stores. The company had the best of both worlds. The pay they gave their employees was only good at their outlets, and at no one elses." The way things are going lately, with the big corporations having their way on Capitol Hill, those days will be returning soon!
I love that shop! My wife of course hates it when we go down to Gettysburg and we're nearby. At least she has places to go while I'm in there for an hour.
My wife feels about the same Dr Kegg, but that's the price she has to pay to have a free-for-all at the outlets. You're way too close to Gettysburg. If I lived in your area, I'd be down there all the time. Bruce
Luckily (or unlucky depending on how you look at it) I have a decent shop around my area to get nice notes and coins from. I don't have to drive the half hour to Gettysburg every week!
I just looked up your note in the book New Jersey's Money By: George W. Wait and the book calls the company the "Isabella Glass Works (Named for daughter of Thomas Stanger, owner.)". Other denominations of this note are 10c, 20c, 25c, 50c, $2, and $3. The $1 note is not listed in Wait however. All of the denominations listed are given a rarity of 6 (5 - 10 notes known) and I would guess it probably has the same rarity. Of course the book is from 1976 and more examples may have surfaced since then.
Thanks for the information Obsolete. I know the Stangers were involved in the glass making business in NJ for along time and were involved in a number of different companies. I suppose it's a bit of a guess as to what company this scrip was issued for, but Temperance was in operation during the years these pieces were being used and was located in the area of New Brooklyn. I'd like to get a copy of Wait's book because Haxby doesn't list any private scrip, but don't know where to look. Would you have any idea where I might get one? Thanks again. Bruce
You could search for the book on the internet on used book websites such as Biblio.com, BookFinder.com or if all else fails, eBay.
