I posted my presentation about Engraver Charles Schlecht on Sunday but this information just arrived last night and I knew I had to share it. I received this from a person whose Great-Grandfather was also an engraver.(maybe my next presentation lol). I was totally amazed when this showed up in an email. It was sent to my contact by the Great-Grand daughter of Charles. Here is a little of that email : "Here is a photo of Charles. His great grand daughter sent it to me. Her grandfather was the youngest of several brothers. She said his brothers got all the engravings when their father (Charles) died. She only has one drawing that her Great grandfather did. I also believe Charles did free lance work as an independent engraver after quitting his job." How cool is that ? Since more info is available, I'll post it as it comes in...........................................John ( still amazed )
John, That is very interesting! This is one reason why I not only collect the notes but turned to learning about the people behind them. Makes it all the more human! Excellent stuff..there friend. RickieB
John, How cool is that ,the family photo ! As we have more presentations we learn a little bit more about the man (engraver) behind the note & his family . Fantastic job John !
Charles Schlecht - My gr-grandfather I want to share with you my research on Charles Schlecht, my gr-grandfather. The notes are old and I have not updated them in quite some time. I am not a coin or currency collector and know nothing about the hobby other than what I find in my genealogy research. I do have an engraved print of 2 pictures that were aquired on e-bay, one done for John George Brown and the other I'm not sure of, which is called "Alone". I thought to share this information with you in the hopes of keeping my gr-grandfather's genius alive. I have found more information about him through sites like yours, rather than from any family members, most of whom are not with us today. Enjoy and I trust you will share and send me corrections of anything you may find conflicting or incorrect. Herbert Otto Schlecht, the last son of Charles, is my grandfather, whom I never met. I have nothing from anyone in the family. My email is dominicancommercial69@yahoo.com - Eileen Charles Schlecht Born 6/11/1843, Stuttgart, Neckarkreis, Mitenburg?, Wurttemberg, Germany Immigrates to US 12/24/1853 1859 - Apprentice for American Bank Note Co. 1862 worked at 626 Broadway as engraver Volunteered for US Army on 9/25/1862 with Co. B, 9th NY (Hawkins Zouaves), and transferred to Co. H, 3rd NY Infantry. Discharged 7/10/1865. 186(5) joins Western Bank Note Co. of Chicago · Naturalized 3/15/1869 Marries Clara Thieme 10/11/1870 Children: Clara Hortense (1871), Edwin Charles (1874), Walter William (1876), Carl Frederick (1878), Agnes A. (1880), Albert (1883) and Herbert Otto (1886) 1879 worked at 822 Broadway 1882 – works at American Bank Note Co. 1886-1897 – BEP, Manhattan & Washington, DC 1892 – Worked at 153 4th Ave. 1893 – Appointed to BEP 1897 – Resigned from BEP – worked 874 Broadway 1900 – still on 57th St., Manhattan, working at 113 (Nassau Street) Tribune Bldg. 1902 – Worked at 154 Nassau 1908 – Worked at 1511 3rd Ave. Dies 10/17/1932 at 1220 E. 23rd St., Brooklyn – age 89 - Stroke Addresses: 1853 – 148 3rd St., Manhattan 1859 – 541 6th St., Manhattan 1862 – 65 Jefferson Ave., Jersey City, NJ 1969 – 541 6th St., Manhattan 1870 – 409 E. 50th St., Manhattan 1872 - 446 E. 57th St., Manhattan, working at 56 Reade St. 1879 – 156 Jefferson Ave., Jersey City Heights, NJ 1881 – 65 Jefferson Ave., Jersey City Heights, NJ 1883 – both Jersey City & E. 59(7)th St. listed 1888 – 446 E. 57th St., Manhattan 1901 - 2164 Bathgate Ave., Bronx 1903 - 10 Riverview Terrace (near E. 58th St.) Manhattan 1908 - 217 E. 71st St., Manhattan 1910 – 1334 (1335) E. 48th St., Brooklyn 1912 – 1037 Faile St., Bronx 1925 - 1220 E. 23rd St., Brooklyn Plates for publishers: “Eyes to the Blind” by A. F. Bellows “The Wish” by Percy Moran “Rustic Maiden, Motherly Advice” ? “Shoe Shine Boys” by John George Brown (Tuckered out – The Shoeshine Boy) “The Lost Child” by John George Brown “Jennie Brownscombe” / Charles Schlecht “Girl With White Rabbit” Leon Moran or John Leon Moran “Good Advice” ? “Holy Family” “Salome” Engravings: First Engraving – Admiral Foote E.M. Stanton 1874 – President Franklin Pierce 1878 – Edward Everett (face) - $50 Silver Certificate 1880 – Robert Morris (face) - $10 Silver Certificate 1880 – William L. Marcy (face) - $1,000 Silver Certificate 1882 – Engraved first Hawaiian postcard for American Bank Note Co. 1886 – William A. Hendricks (face) - $10 Silver Certificate 1886 - Winfield Scott Hancock (face) $2 Silver Certificate 1886 – President Grover Cleveland 1890 – David G. Farragut (face) $100 Treasury Note 1890 – John Marshall (face) $20 Treasury Note 1891 – William H. Seward - $50 Treasury Note 1893 – Engraved Columbian Exposition diploma 1896 – Educational Series – Silver Certificates Face of the $1 bill and back except for portraits 1896 - Face of $2 bill (with GFC Smillie) & portrait of Samuel F. B. Morse on back Face of unissued $10 bill Gen. George Meade Postmaster David M. Key Vignettes: Stephen Decatur Nordic Battle Scene Gov. Levi Woodbury VP Thomas A. Hendricks
Charles Schlecht created one of the most amazing examples of security engraving of the 19th century: the Award Diploma for the 1893 Columbian Exposition. I'll post an image, but this really doesn't do it justice. The piece is 36 x 24 inches tall. It was printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing while Schlecht was employed there and in my opinion it's his master work. In 1993, the BEP reprinted the certificate and I have mine framed.
Hi - Charles Schlecht was my great-grandfather (father of Agnes Schlecht, my grandmother on my father's side). I've been going through his papers this afternoon - German pass when he came to America, his citizenship papers, his discharge from the Union Army after the Civil War, etc.. Many letters extolling his work. I thought I should Google him. I found your post on this site. I would love to read your presentation about him. Also would be glad to share copies of the papers in my possession with interested parties. Only have one of his works - looks like a Prussian bugler sitting upon a horse. Could scan it if you have any interest. Wow. I didn't realize he was of interest to others. You may contact me at roblance@hotmail.com Thanks, Rob Lance
I know there is a group of us here at coin talk that would love to see a piece of his work. I hope you will scan it and share it with us! Thanks for stopping by! Here is the original Presentation by Dready: http://www.cointalk.com/t75655/ Here is the actual plate that Greg mentions above: And a copy of the print that the BEP takes on the road with them when they go to major shows:
Darryl, that plate is AWESOME! I would love to see that in person. Did you take that picture and if so when/where was it? Rob, I guess you'd be a distant cousin of Eileen, who posted earlier in this thread. Yes, if you are willing to scan the image of that equestrian bugler I think there are a number of members who would like to see it, including me. Maybe someone can identify where it was published.
Welcome Rob. I think you will find a small group of enthusiastic folks here who would appreciate anything you can add. Thank you in advance. +1 Greg.... Darryl, that is a great shot of that plate, where'd you happen to see this piece? Ever since Greg posted that print earlier I was dazzeled and now to see there is a plate still in existence for it, Wow!!! Thanks for sharing the pics.
The plate and print were showcased at the World Fair of Money in Chicago last summer. It was one of the first things to see when you went into the BEP booth. I believe I either read or Mike Beck commented that it was one of the most significant pieces to ever come out of the BEP.
BTW: There is a very small proof signed piece on bidstart that has only two hours left. I am not going to pick it up but the price seems reasonable.
Drat - I didn't see your post until now Darryl. Is it possible to search Bidstart for completed items, and what category would I search?
Info On Charles Schlecht I've been scanning all the papers I have from my great grandfather, Charles Schlecht. I only possess two of his engravings, which I will try to attach here. If anyone is interested, I have the 1859 apprenticeship agreement with ABNCo scanned, as well as letters from W. H. Low and BEP Chief Johnson (1895), the latter on Treasury Dept BEP letterhead. Also the Schlecht 1853 passport when they came from Germany and some Civil War correspondence. Sorry about the quality of the large print - I had to photogrpah it thru glass.
Rob, please feel free to continue adding as many images, photos and documents as you have time to scan and add to this tread or feel comfortable sharing here. We appreciate all these nuggets of information as it builds a better picture of the life of the man behind his work that we admire. No level of detail is too unimportant to learn from. Thanks again for sharing here with us. Regards.
